Saturday, Governor Tim Walz spoke exclusively with Spectrum News’ Charlotte Scott following a jam-packed rally in Superior, which marked the final stop of his two-day swing across Michigan and Wisconsin during the New Way Forward Tour. In the interview, Governor Walz highlighted the Harris-Walz campaign’s outreach to rural voters, touting Kamala Harris’ record and her plans to invest in rural infrastructure, create jobs, protect workers and unions, and make essentials like housing and groceries more affordable.
“The biggest thing is that Kamala Harris’s [economic vision] is that she’s talking about works for [rural communities], making sure that we’re really, truly investing in rural communities. We’re investing in infrastructure. … We’re looking at the family farm. And in Wisconsin, whether that’s small dairy herds or folks trying to make it, they know that Donald Trump’s ‘get big or get out’ is not what they want to hear,” said Governor Walz.
The Governor also highlighted what’s at stake for rural and middle-class families this election. He contrasted Kamala Harris’ plans to create an Opportunity Economy where everyone has a chance to compete and a chance to succeed versus Donald Trump’s plans to cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy, saying, “When you propose tax cuts for the middle class, which Kamala Harris has done with the child tax credits [and] other things, that makes a big difference. So Donald Trump will give a tax cut to the billionaires, you’re seeing us target working folks to make a difference.”
Democratic vice presidential hopeful and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz believes that winning Wisconsin — and likely across the country — will be a game of inches.
“I think we understand Wisconsin is going to be close. Folks are working hard on the ground,” Walz told Spectrum News in an exclusive interview shortly after his Saturday afternoon rally in Superior, Wisconsin.
But the key will be helping voters — especially rural voters, whom Walz struggled to effectively court in his own gubernatorial race — understand that the economic plan touted by Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is set to work for them.
“We need to make sure that when we do the Farm Bill, we’re not just looking for big agriculture. We’re looking for the family farm in Wisconsin, whether that’s small dairy herds or folks trying to make it. So I think taking those messages to them, seeing the investments in infrastructure like the Blatnik Bridge here in Superior (which connects the city to Duluth, Minnesota), those are things that Kamala Harris delivered on in those rural communities,” Walz said.
The biggest job for the campaign, Walz said, is to make sure that voters are able to see how the economy is working for them: having the ability to collectively bargain, being able to afford homes, seeing helpful investments in education from the federal government and bringing down the costs of needed goods like prescription drugs.
“I think those are things people think about, daily things that they’re concerned about — start bringing the price down on that, and start making sure people are paid a fair wage — which we’re seeing that happen, too,” he said. “And then I’ll just say, we saw in Minnesota, when you propose tax cuts for the middle class — which Kamala Harris has done — whether it’s a child tax credit or other things, that makes a big difference.”
Meanwhile, Walz said he is prepping for his face-off with GOP running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance on Oct. 1.
“I’m working hard, continuing to try and learn the issues. I look forward to having a robust conversation about our visions of America, and I think you’re seeing us on the campaign trail that I believe in America, I believe in the middle class and I’m making sure that I have all those facts to back that up,” Walz said, adding that he doesn’t currently have a stand-in for Vance to practice debating against. He did note that, while he hasn’t met Vance in person, the two have exchanged messages. […]
