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Governor Walz and Senator Tammy Baldwin rallied supporters in Stevens Point as they tour the state one day before the election.
By Melissa Kaye
North Central Wisconsin (WFHR, WIRI, WXCO) – Governor Tim Walz and Senator Tammy Baldwin visit Stevens Point on their Get Out the Vote tour of Wisconsin on the last day before the election. The day started in La Crosse with stops in Stevens Point and Milwaukee before they round out the day in Detroit, Michigan.
The Laird Room in the Dreyfus Center at UW Stevens Point was at capacity. Most attendees stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the stage with the press area behind them. There were roughly 200 people in attendance with some overflow in a nearby room.
Mayor Mike Wiza took the stage first. He ran down the list of rights and freedoms that were lost under a Trump presidency and more that we could lose if former President Trump regains the White House. Mayor Wiza said, “This guy’s like the super villain in every movie, but this isn’t a movie. These are real lives he’s threatening and entire cultures he’s trying to wipe out. Are we going to sit by and let that happen? No, we won’t, Wisconsin. And we’re not going back.”
Kelley Robinson spoke next and said the stakes in this election are high, but it’s about more than just the sets of candidates. She said we have to choose between a possible president who wants to weaponize the Supreme Court against the people or leaders who will fight for dignity and equality for all.
She said, “This is about two fundamentally different visions for our country and visions for America. Look, we could have states that criminalize trans healthcare or states that protect that healthcare, but we’re going to have to show up. We could have a Congress that tries to roll back marriage equality, or one that expands our rights and codifies Roe V Wade into federal law, but we’re gonna have to show up.”
Robinson said Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are more than allies, they are champions who will fight for all of us.
Senator Baldwin said she’s glad Governor Tim Walz is part of this Democratic ticket and was proud to welcome him to Wisconsin again. She described Gov. Walz as a military veteran, a teacher, a coach, and a true public servant. She said Wisconsin will decide who the next president is and what party controls the United States Senate. This is evidenced by the campaign picking a Midwesterner, Governor Walz, as their running mate.
Tammy Baldwin then spoke about her race against Eric Hovde. She said, “But the stakes of this race are incredibly high. You know, Eric Hovde celebrated when the Dobs decision came down overturning Roe v. Wade. He said he is 100-percent anti-choice. Meanwhile, I am leading the effort to restore Roe v. Wade through the Women’s Health Protection Act which I lead in the United States Senate.”
Tammy also spoke about the fact that Eric Hovde wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act in its entirety, kicking millions of Americans off their health plans. She mentioned writing the provision that allows young people to stay on their parent’s health insurance until they turn 26. She then asked students in the room to raise their hands if they were still on their parent’s health insurance. Dozens raised their hands across the room while the crowd cheered. She said she will always fight to protect and build upon the gains they’ve made on the ACA and work to protect Social Security and Medicare for our seniors. Senator Baldwin closed by saying we deserve a senator who fights for us, not one who insults us.
Mayson is a student at UWSP. She pointed to growing up in a rural community, much like Governor Tim Walz. She said because of that they share many of the same values including the importance of community and working together to help our neighbors. She said Governor Walz understands those values. Mayson stated, “We need leaders who will care about us and who will wake up everyday thinking about how to make our lives better.”
Mayson spoke about the importance of this election to her and her fellow students. She stated how women like herself and other students now have fewer rights than their parents did. She ended by saying, “The good news is that we have the power to choose a different future. For a candidate who has a plan to take on student debt, to protect kids from gun violence, and to ensure everyone has the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. And of course, that is Kamala Harris.”
The crowd roared when Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz took the stage. He began by stressing how important it is to elect Senator Tammy Baldwin back to the Senate. He also said we’re going to need a House of Representatives that can get things done, so voters need to send Rebecca Cooke to Congress.
The crowd erupted in cheers and laughter in turn during Governor Walz’s speech. He pointed out the contrast between the Harris and Trump campaigns. Specifically citing Harris’ speech on the National Mall vs. what took place in Madison Square Garden.
Gov. Walz has now been on the campaign trail for 107 days. He said it feels like we’re running like everythings on the line, because it is. He pointed to the movement and energy Kamala Harris has built in those 107 days and said, “Just imagine what she can do for the next 8 years.” Gov. Walz said there’s many things he’s irritated about with the guys on the other side and many things to be angry about. He said, “But I’ll tell you what. They stole something from us that Kamala Harris brought back. Joy.”
The Harris/Walz campaign is running on the premise that they will work just as hard for the people who voted against them as they will for the people who vote for them. Governor Walz said they will put policies in place to help all Americans. He said, “We’re gonna get the chance over the next 24 hours to shape this planet for generations to come. In a positive way. In a way that unifies us. In a way that believes in our neighbors. In contrast to the darkness and the madness that is being put out on the other side. Here’s the good news about when you hear everything they’re saying, Donald Trump will never step foot in the Oval Office again.”
Gov. Walz closed out by telling the crowd they are in a unique position in this state. He said the election runs right through Wisconsin and right through rural counties like the one they’re standing in. “So here’s what you get to do, Wisconsin. Win this damn thing for America.”
