CHICAGO –– Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, made a surprise appearance at a Democratic National Convention breakfast for the Wisconsin delegation — one of several key battleground states — to encourage attendees to continue campaigning tough in the Nov. 5 election.
Echoing a refrain from his brief time on the campaign trail, Walz urged Wisconsinites to sprint to Election Day to elect Vice President Kamala Harris. She is scheduled to deliver an acceptance speech as the party’s presidential candidate on Thursday night.
“We have 78 days of hard work,” Walz said. “We can sleep when we’re dead.”
Harris’ entry into the race less than a month ago — following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out — energized Democrats, leading to a flood of up-to-date volunteers signing up for the campaign, Walz said.
Walz told the crowd to focus not only on defeating former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party nominee, but also on pursuing their own goals.
“It’s not just about beating these guys,” Walz said. “It’s about the idea of the things we believe in, whether it’s democracy, freedom, the strength of our public schools.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore struck a similar tone in his remarks to the delegation.
“The reason we’re so excited … is not because we’re afraid of the alternative,” Moore said. “We don’t have to talk about how dangerous that alternative is anymore. The reason we’re going to fight, the reason we’re going to win, is not because we’re afraid of the alternative, but because we’re so hopeful and optimistic about what the future holds under a Harris-Walz administration.”
Moore said a Democratic administration would address housing insecurity, child poverty and gun violence.
The Democratic message of unity resonated with Michael Jones, a Wisconsin delegate and special education teacher in Madison.
“While we all understand how dire the alternative is, we are not only talking about that, but also about the joy and positives that come from working together,” he said.
Pendulum state
Speakers emphasized Wisconsin’s importance as one of the few states where the outcome of the presidential election is uncertain.
“You know what you have to do,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told the group. “The nation is counting on you.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers told reporters after his prepared remarks that Democrats in the state will work to mobilize voters in the presidential election.
“That’s our job,” he said. “We can’t expect Tim Walz or Kamala Harris to show up in Wisconsin every day. So we’ll do that.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York also addressed the delegation, saying the re-election race of Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin was crucial to maintaining the Democratic majority in the chamber.
“We will not hold the Senate without” Baldwin’s victory, he said.
Schumer promoted Baldwin’s work in the Senate, including on a bipartisan bill to promote microchip production.
Education is the most essential issue
Walz’s arrival energized delegates, including Terri Wenkman of Jefferson, Wisconsin.
“I was most excited about the surprise visit from Tim Walz,” said Wenkman, a former school board member. “Public education is very important to me, so to have someone who was a public school teacher and a really big advocate for public education, I really identify with that.”
Wenkman added that Walz’s message to push for the finish line resonated with him, as a shortened campaign period could benefit Democrats.
Jones said Walz’s experience as a high school teacher and football coach was reflected in his teaching style.
Evers, a former teacher and public school principal, referenced Walz’s teaching career in his speech.
“We know what happens when we elect teachers,” he said.
