‘It is a groundswell’: Support builds in Michigan for Harris-Walz presidential ticket

Anna Hardwick of Sterling Heights was among the sea of people who waited for hours to see Vice President Kamala Harris at her latest Michigan campaign stop on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Hardwick said the excitement around Harris’ campaign as the Democratic presidential nominee had her come out in support. As the mother of two young adults who have been struggling financially, Hardwick said, she hopes Harris can figure out a solution for her family if she is elected the next president.

“She’s always been a go-getter. She’s what I think every woman, every person, should represent in America,” Hardwick said of Harris.

Michiganders who spoke to the Michigan Independent were eager to throw their support behind Harris and her recently announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. 

The Metro Detroit rally was the third stop on Harris’ tour of battleground states and her first Michigan stop with Walz. The event featured all things Michigan, complete with a Detroit Youth Choir performance, a slew of Detroit Lions references, and Motown hits from the likes of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin blaring over the speakers. 

In a strong showing of unity, virtually all of the Democrats in Michigan’s congressional delegation made an appearance at the event, in addition to state lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“We need partners in the White House who have our backs, and that’s Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,” Whitmer told the crowd. “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz will fight to help you not just get by, but to get ahead, because every American deserves a path to prosperity.”

Harris and Walz, who made a grand entrance on Air Force Two right before taking the stage, told the crowd of their vision of the future for the country if they win the election on Nov. 5, which includes passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, implementing an assault weapons ban and universal background checks, and codifying abortion rights.

The duo juxtaposed their campaign message with that of their Republican opponents in the race, former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential pick, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance. Harris and Walz painted Trump and Vance as candidates who want to take away fundamental rights, including affordable health care and reproductive freedom.

Unlike Trump, Harris said, she wants to work in the best interest of all Americans, regardless of party affiliation or background.

“It is about two very different visions for the future of our nation,” Harris said. “One, ours, focused on the future, and the other focused on the past.”

With less than three months until the election, Petersburg native Linda Thomspon said she thinks Harris’ chances of winning are high because of the backing Harris has garnered since launching her campaign in July. Approximately 15,000 people attended the Aug. 7 rally, according to Harris’ campaign.

“It is a groundswell, and I think that’s going to grow in various groups across the country,” Thompson said. She said that she supports Harris because they share similar values when it comes to issues such as women’s rights and gun safety.

Rally attendee Duane Gholston, a 33-year-old political organizer from Detroit, was thrilled about Walz joining the Democratic ticket. Before becoming the governor of Minnesota, Walz was a public school teacher, football coach and a soldier in the National Guard. Gholston said that Walz made a good candidate for vice president because he’s relatable and can cross over to reach people who aren’t particularly interested in politics.

United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain said in a fiery rally speech that there’s too much at stake for the working class — living wages, adequate health care, retirement savings — to allow Trump to be elected for another four years.

Dozens of UAW members were visible in the crowd Wednesday sporting the union’s signature red. The UAW, which employed nearly 300,000 Michigan autoworkers as of 2023, issued a statement endorsing Harris eight days before her Michigan visit.

Fain called Harris a great leader who will do what’s best for middle-class people and urged the crowd to mobilize behind her campaign.

“Donald Trump is all talk, and talk is cheap,” Fain said. “Kamala Harris walks the walk. She does the work, and when help was needed, she showed up. So now it’s our turn. It’s our turn to stand up, to speak up and to show up for Vice President Harris.”