On Monday, October 28, Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris urged supporters in Michigan to vote early in hopes of boosting the state’s election prospects.
Michigan is one of the key battleground states in this year’s U.S. presidential election. Harris told supporters, “In Michigan, we need you to vote early because we only have 8 days left. We are just 8 days away from the most important election of our lives. So, we have a lot of work to do.”
“But we like hard work,” she said at a rally in Ann Arbor. “Make no mistake, we will win.”
“Now is the time for Michigan to show up with ballots,” she said.
Harris also urged supporters to remind those around them to cast their votes. She said at the rally, “In 9 days, when we look back, we can say we did everything to remind our friends, classmates, and colleagues.”
“Let’s use these 8 days to understand the power of building our community, the power of building alliances, the power of connecting with each other, reminding us that no one is alone, we are all in this together,” she said.
On Monday, Harris spent a day in Michigan, meeting with union workers across the state before holding the rally.
According to a combined poll by Decision Desk HQ and The Hill, Republican candidate and former President Trump and Harris are neck and neck in support in Michigan, with Trump at 48.2% and Harris at 47.9%.
During the rally, there were protesters supporting Palestine that disrupted Harris’s speech, a situation that has occurred in several past rallies.
“Regarding the Gaza issue, hey, everyone, I’ve heard you, about the Gaza issue, we all hope this war ends soon, releasing hostages, I will do everything to end the war,” Harris said.
The city of Dearborn, Michigan, is home to 100,000 Arab-Americans. Democrats are concerned that the controversy surrounding the Biden administration’s handling of the Gaza war could damage Harris’s prospects in Michigan.
At the rally, Harris also invited first-time voters to raise their hands, saying, “Can we hear the voices of first-time voters?”
“Look, this is why I know the future of our country is bright,” she said.
Her campaign partner, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, also attended the rally.
Harris praised her running mate as someone who “always brings joy.”
“He understands why it’s important to be an inspiring leader rather than one who tries to suppress people, that’s Tim Walz,” she said.
Walz emphasized in his speech that the central theme of this election is freedom and mentioned that both he and Harris own guns.
“I understand guns. I am a veteran. I am a gun owner,” Walz said. “Harris and I are both gun owners, we know you can uphold the Second Amendment, but at the same time, uphold our primary responsibility, protecting our children.”
Walz specifically made a request to male voters, urging them to vote in support of Harris.