BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — Enthusiastic supporters of the Harris/Walz campaign wasted little time lining up for the Tim Walz rally set for Saturday at Freedom High School.
Some arrived as early as 4 a.m.
Walz, the Minnesota governor, is making his first visit to the Lehigh Valley since Vice President Kamala Harris announced him as her running mate against former president Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance.
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A line of hundreds stretched from the school, around the gymnasium and past the athletic fields.
“They believe what I believe,” said Tammie Erb, of Pennsburg in Montgomery County. “I believe in women’s rights, gun control, environmental protection.”
Walz is expected to arrive at Lehigh Valley International Airport and deliver remarks inside the Freedom gym around noon.
Arabel Elliott, of Kutztown, said it was important for her to make the 35-minute or so drive to Bethlehem Township.
“The No. 1 reason is I don’t want my daughter and peers to have fewer rights than I had,” she said.
Walz, 60, is expected to be joined during the rally by Anthony Ramos, of the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” and Emmy-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas. The Harris campaign has made a heavy push in the Lehigh Valley with Latino voters.
Pennsylvania is a critical swing state for both Trump and Harris – and their chances of winning the presidency.
Republicans were rallying in Pennsylvania today, too. Vance is scheduled to campaign in the afternoon at the Berks County Fairgrounds in Bern Township near Reading – about 45 miles from Walz’s appearance in the Lehigh Valley.
Follow live updates on X from reporters Tom Shortell @TShortell and Phil Gianficaro @philgianficaro.