Tim Walz talks to Black voters in West Philadelphia, saying Kamala Harris would be a president for all

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spent Friday talking to community leaders and donors in a blitz that kicked off in West Philadelphia, stopped in Fishtown, and was set to take him to Allentown and Scranton.

The day’s focus was on how his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, would be a president for all, while reaching out to Black and Latino voters, key demographics Democrats need to show up Nov. 5 to cobble a win in what remains a tight race in the key battleground state, according to polls.

At Booker’s Restaurant and Bar, Walz sat next to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and discussed what she called “bread-and-butter” issues, such as affordable housing. As part of her White House bid, Harris has vowed to build 3 million homes over four years.

Parker — at her second Harris-Walz event this week despite concerns that the campaign hasn’t been working closely enough with the mayor — lauded the policy proposal, calling it “a tangible element to this election, that people know that they can see, touch, and feel.”

Walz made note of how housing initiatives in his state, including a down payment assistance program similar to what Harris has proposed for first-time homebuyers, have eased the housing crisis there.

“What we have in Minneapolis now is 12% more units and rent went down 4% last year,” he told the room, which included Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson and State Sen. Anthony H. Williams. “Rent’s not going down anywhere.”

The remainder of the 45-minute roundtable was dedicated to discussing Harris’ nine-page Opportunity Agenda for Black Men, which features initiatives around economic opportunity and health care, among other issues.

Harris has said on multiple occasions she’s working to earn the vote of Black men and doesn’t expect them to vote for her simply because she is Black.

The Harris campaign has taken a similar approach with Latino voters, as Trump has made inroads with Latino men. This week, Harris unveiled the Opportunity Agenda for Latino Men and Harris sat down for an interview with Telemundo to discuss tax deductions to start a small business and her proposed $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time home buyers.

“My agenda around an opportunity economy will benefit all Americans, but I am also aware of the specific impact on the Latino community,” said Harris Tuesday.

Walz was set to continue on to sell the plan to Latino voters in Allentown, which is now 54% Latino, ahead of a rally in Scranton, but not before talking to Philadelphia donors at Fishtown’s Brooklyn Bowl.

The Harris campaign has been successful fundraising in the first half of October, but has been spending money in Pennsylvania at an equally rapid clip.

According to a Politico analysis of the most recent campaign finance reports, Harris raised $97 million in the first half of October, while former President Donald Trump raised $16 million. The Harris campaign spent $166 million during the same period.

The presidential race alone accounts for $189.5 million in political spending, according to Axios.

Still, as Walz charmed the room with details of his very Philly day, which started with a run along Boathouse Row and a stop at the Rocky Steps, the vice presidential hopeful thanked them for the door knocking and phone banking he said would put the party through the finish line.

Walz took a moment to stump for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), who is in a tight race with Republican challenger Dave McCormick. Walz noted Casey’s “depth of knowledge and the commitment to not just Pennsylvania, but to the entire country.”

Most of Walz’ time addressing the crowd, however, was spent describing Trump as a threat to democracy. Walz tossed some bowling puns, describing Trump as “in the gutter” and calling him a “turkey” before noting the generals, ambassadors, and national security leaders who have come out against another Trump presidency.

“Vice President Harris has got a to-do list for the American public,” said Walz. “He’s got an enemies list.”

Walz ended by talking about the history-making nature of Harris’ campaign, something he said his running mate doesn’t like to do:

“It’s 2024 and we need to quit patting ourselves on the back that we put cracks in that glass ceiling,” he said, cut off by roaring applause. “Let’s just tear the damn thing down and have a Madame President.”

The Democrats’ fight to push Black and Latino turnout in Pennsylvania continues throughout the weekend with Harris spending Sunday traveling through Philadelphia neighborhoods. Other get-out-the-vote efforts include first lady Jill Biden making stops in Philly and Pittsburgh Sunday, and a rally and concert with former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen at Temple University Monday.