Minnesota governor and Democratic nominee for vice chairman Tim Walz arrived at Erie Worldwide Airport Thursday afternoon forward of a night rally at Highmark Amphitheater at Liberty Park.

Walz’s go to to Erie comes every week after his Republican counterpart, Sen. J.D. Vance, spoke at a neighborhood enterprise in Erie.

Walz is slated to deal with supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris at 6 p.m.

Harris grew to become the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 following a disastrous debate efficiency in June that raised questions concerning the 81-year-old’s means to steer the nation for an additional 4 years.

Harris needed to vet and choose a operating mate at warp pace in comparison with trendy presidential campaigns after receiving the backing of Biden and sufficient delegates to safe the nomination forward of the social gathering’s conference. She selected the little-known faculty instructor, coach, veteran and former congressman over a slate of Democrats, together with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Neither Harris nor her challenger, former President Donald Trump, have appeared in Erie County this yr, although Trump did maintain a rally at Erie Insurance coverage Area in July 2023.

Walz’s Erie cease was a part of a two-day marketing campaign blitz within the battleground state, which may resolve the presidential election. On Wednesday, Walz made stops in Lancaster and Pittsburgh.

Walz stops at marketing campaign workplace on West Eighth

Walz visited a gaggle of volunteers who packed into the Harris-Walz discipline workplace on West Eighth Avenue in downtown Erie.

“It is not hyperbole. This election will go proper by Erie, Pennsylvania,” Walz stated. “That’s what will occur. We all know that it is a bellwether county. We all know that the work you are doing right here is gonna make a distinction.”

Walz additionally took goal at former President Donald Trump, referring to feedback Trump made Wednesday at a marketing campaign cease in Pennsylvania. Speaking to supporters, Trump instructed his viewers it had “no alternative” however to vote for him. 

“Like virtually all the pieces, he’s one hundred percent flawed,” Walz stated.

However his transient remarks took a extra severe tone when he mentioned the taking pictures at Apalachee Excessive College in Georgia Wednesday that claimed the lives of two college students and two lecturers.

Walz offers speech:Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz tells supporters street to White Home runs by Erie

“We maintain speaking about this concept of freedom, of why it issues, freedom to make your individual well being care choices, freedom to set your life ahead, freedom to breathe clear air and drink clear water,” he stated. “These are all freedoms. And I am gonna say it right now ‘trigger it is heavy on each one in every of our hearts. I discuss this freedom: For our youngsters to go to highschool with out being shot.”

Walz stated not one of the insurance policies Harris is proposing would infringe on an individual’s Second Modification rights.

Walz raised the stakes for the marketing campaign volunteers earlier than concluding his remarks.

“There is a very actual likelihood that the calls which might be being made right here may make the distinction within the vote and make the distinction in Pennsylvania that may make the distinction on this election, that may make a distinction for generations to come back, not simply on this nation however globally,” Walz stated.

Walz and daughter order milkshakes at Sara’s

Touring along with his daughter Hope, Walz and his motorcade headed to Sara’s close to Presque Isle State Park for a chew to eat. 

The cease got here as a shock to some patrons, together with a gaggle of Penn State Behrend college students who spoke with Walz briefly. 

The governor ordered a burger, onion rings and two chocolate milkshakes, one for himself and one other for his daughter.

It is a creating story. Return for updates.

Matthew Rink will be reached at mrink@timesnews.com or on X at @ETNRink.