Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz hold rally in battleground western Wisconsin

EAU CLAIRE, WIS. – Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held their first joint rally in the Midwest on Wednesday, telling more than 12,000 people who gathered in the battleground state of Wisconsin that America cannot withstand another Donald Trump presidency.

Walz was in friendly territory in his neighboring state, receiving a thunderous ovation and praise from top Wisconsin Democrats who spoke before him. Harris told the crowd that Wisconsin will play a pivotal role in this year's presidential election.

"The path to the White House runs right through this state, and with your help, we will win in November," Harris said. "We are going to win."

Their outdoor rally held in the farm country of Eau Claire was the second since Harris announced Walz as her running mate. A Harris-Walz rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night drew 10,000 inside the venue and 4,000 outside. Harris and Walz are in the midst of a jam-packed schedule of stops in competitive battleground states.

It was Harris' second stop in Wisconsin since President Joe Biden left the race. Trump's vice-presidential running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance, also traveled to Eau Claire on Wednesday to counter the Democrats' messaging.

Vance delivered his remarks on a warehouse floor in front of employees of Wollard International, an Eau Claire-based manufacturer of aviation ground support equipment. A few dozen employees stood behind him, and an American flag and banners for the military hung above his podium.

After a brief speech, Vance fielded questions from reporters — something he noted the Harris campaign has refused to do since President Joe Biden announced plans to step down.

Vance barely mentioned Biden, instead levying criticism at the "Harris administration" on its handling of a breadth of issues — immigration, the opioid crisis, inflation and trade policy.

When asked about Walz, Vance said he thinks the Minnesota governor needs to answer for the civil unrest that engulfed the Twin Cities after the murder of George Floyd — a point that's quickly became a key part of Republicans' attack on the ticket.

"I'm scandalized by this guy pretending that he stands for working people," he said. "Working people need to live in communities with public safety."

Wisconsin has long been a battleground state for Democrats. Biden carried the state by a margin of only 0.7% of the popular vote in the 2020 presidential election.

Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin called Walz a "fantastic addition to the Democratic ticket." She said the selection of Walz reflects the importance of the Midwest in this election.

"This campaign knows that the path of the presidency and control of the United States Senate runs directly through the Midwest," Baldwin said. "Wisconsin is likely to decide who our next president is and who controls the United States Senate."

Walz took the stage just after 2 p.m. to loud applause, warming up the crowd with shout-outs to both Wisconsin and Minnesota. He touted his background as a former teacher, football coach and soldier. At one point, Walz halted his remarks to request medical aid for someone in the crowd he saw visibly suffering from the heat.

"Take care of your neighbors," Walz told the crowd, also urging them to drink water.

The Minnesota Democrat focused much of his remarks on Trump and Vance, calling them "creepy and weird as hell." The two Republicans want to take away Americans' freedom to make their own health care decisions, Walz said.

"Donald Trump is not for you or your family. And Trump's running mate shares those same dangerous and backward beliefs," the governor said, adding he can't wait to debate Vance.

Harris took the stage after Walz and praised him as having an "incredible record as governor." But she referred to him more frequently by a previous — and more relatable — title he once held: "coach."

"In 90 days, the nation will know Coach Walz by a new title: vice president of the United States of America," she said.

Harris vowed that she and Walz would care just as much about red states as they do blue states: "We will govern on behalf of all Americans." And she urged the thousands in attendance to mobilize on Democrats' behalf by knocking on doors and registering people to vote.

"The power is with the people," Harris said.

Ellie and Bryan Radue, a couple from Green Bay, left at 4:30 a.m. to make it to the rally. Wisconsin Democrats have been energized since Harris ascended to the presidential slot, they said, even more now that Walz is her running mate. Ellie Radue, sporting a coconut-patterned bucket hat, is hopeful that the ticket may keep Wisconsin blue this election.

"It's shifted the mood from sad and scary," Bryan Radue said. "It was like a slow walk to a funeral before Biden left the ticket."

The couple hope Walz will help sway Wisconsin Republicans and farmers. His Midwest background and "big dad energy" may help his appeal, Bryan Radue said, especially with his love for hunting.

Judy Tulgren and Bonnie Clark, attendees from Eau Claire, said it's always "up in the air" with Wisconsin voters. Tulgren called Harris a good choice for Democrats and is hopeful the addition of Walz to the ticket sways Wisconsin farmers who typically vote Republican.

Karin Hogen and Erik Lepisto are teachers at Central Middle School in White Bear Lake. They said they're ecstatic to see Walz on the ticket, noting he used to be a member of Education Minnesota, their teachers union.

Both Hogen and Lepisto wore T-shirts from the union's 2024 political conference to the rally.

"It would mean so much to have an educator in the office," Lepisto said. "To have perspective on what it's like to be a public school teacher."