Gwen Walz to visit Nebraska on Saturday for reproductive gear
OMAHA — Former Nebraska teacher and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz will make a stop in Omaha on Saturday, the first weekend since her husband’s vice presidential debate.
The Democratic campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced on Tuesday that they will appear Saturday, hours after he will join forces with former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Republican Sen. Vance faced off.
Gwen Walz previously attended a rally with Tim on August 17 in La Vista, Nebraska. She was one of many campaign agents and supporters visiting the 2nd Congressional District in Omaha.
Saturday’s event was one of about 60 planned across the country to highlight the differences between Harris and Trump over abortion rights and other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception.
Swing area on deck
Both campaigns are trying to win Electoral College votes from Nebraska’s swing districts, which are more politically competitive than the rest of the state.
Nebraska and Maine are unique nationwide in awarding one Electoral College vote to the winner of the presidential popular vote in each congressional district.
In Nebraska’s 2nd District, two Democrats and two Republicans have won the district’s only electoral votes in the past four presidential elections. President Joe Biden won in 2020.
First visit since “Blue Dot” defense
Republicans in the Nebraska Legislature, working with the Trump campaign and Gov. Jim Pillen, tried last month to convert the state to a winner-take-all vote.
But the effort failed to materialize when Omaha Republican Sen. Mike McDonald, a former Democrat and longtime leader of the Omaha fire union, stood by his original promise and would not support the change.
Gwen Walz attended along with “Friday Night Lights” actress Connie Britton and Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio.
“This election is about freedom, and the American people want and deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions,” said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Harris’ campaign manager. “We will Let red and blue voters and independents understand the contrast.”
The Trump campaign had no immediate comment on Walz’s visit. Vance made his final acting visit to the 2nd District on Aug. 21.
Get the morning’s top stories.
subscription
