By james art Thousands filled the downtown Reno Events Center Thursday to hear Vice President Kamala Harris speak at her first rally in Northern Nevada since leading the Democratic Party.
Harris took the stage at 5:30 p.m
Nevada is considered a swing state and the race with former President Donald Trump is extremely tight. The New York Times average poll just put Trump slightly ahead of Harris for the first time in Nevada since August.
Here’s a recap of the rally.
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke for about 20 minutes to a pumped-up crowd of about 6,000 supporters Thursday night at the Reno Events Center.
“We have an opportunity in this election to turn the page on a decade of Donald Trump trying to make us fear each other, but we’re done with that,” she said.
“It’s time for a new generation of leadership in America.”
Despite being interrupted by a handful of jeers mid-speech, Harris kept his spirits up, delivering lines that drew cheers to drown them out.
It was not clear what they were shouting. In response to the taunts, sections of the crowd chanted, “We love you Kamala!”
Harris wove a number of policy propositions into his remarks.
“If you’re caring for an elderly parent, my plan will cover the cost of home health care for seniors with Medicaid,” she said in one example.
The crowd often stomped their feet, creating a booming rhythm throughout the arena.
Harris said former President Trump created an enemies list to seek revenge on his first day in office.
“I have a to-do list,” she said.
“I will always put country above party. That’s what leaders do.”
Check back with RGJ.com for more on Kamala Harris’ rally in Reno.
Following Reno Mayor Hillary Sheave, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto gave brief remarks to a capacity crowd at the Kamala Harris rally, which grew to about 6,000 at the Reno Events Center.
The venue’s capacity is listed as 7000. Areas are blocked off for media and security, but the venue feels packed, especially on the floor around the stage.
This election “is about the future where every Nevada has an opportunity to succeed,” Cortez Masto said. “It’s about a future where women are back in control of their bodies.”
The senator urged everyone to come out and vote.
“We’re in this final stage,” she said. “Are we going to knock on those doors? Are we going to drive the people around us crazy until they get out to vote?’
Yes, the crowd said, waving signs before chanting “We’re not coming back!”
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve — who is a registered nonpartisan — fired up Thursday’s crowd at a Kamala Harris rally, prompting both sides of the arena to try to one-up each other.
She has served as mayor for the past 12 years through three presidential administrations.
With the Trump administration, “we weren’t even invited to the White House,” she said. “How can you work with someone if you’re not even invited to the table? What does that tell you?
“Let me tell you about Biden-Harris. I have a direct line — a direct line because they care about Reno, because they care about Washoe families.”
Sheeve said she met Harris several times.
“We had in-depth conversations about mental health, reproductive rights, small business,” the mayor said. “She understands.”
David Dawson made a last-minute decision last night to travel with his wife and two children from their home in Sacramento at 8 a.m. to participate in the Reno Rally. They waited in line for about an hour before he went to security.
“My kids, my 8- and 11-year-olds, had to cancel their Halloween plans,” Dawson said. “Which I think is a really big and mature thing. I had to tell them what they were witnessing.”
Dawson is a lifelong California Democrat who said he felt it was important for his children to see this event.
“This is our last chance to see Kamala Harris before she’s cast … to bring our daughter to see her, and our son, but especially our daughter. Because she’s older and she understands better, and also because it’s so important to her to see the first female president,” Dawson said.
Also waiting in line was Sia Smith, originally from Four Corners, New Mexico, but now living in Fallon. She said Harris won her support because of his positions on indigenous sovereignty and reproductive rights.
“I think (the campaign) is going well,” Smith said. “I noticed it was very close.”
That sentiment was echoed by Rod and Heidi Taylor, who traveled an hour from California to attend the rally.
“Hopefully we’re smiling in a week,” Rod Taylor said.
While Taylor said he felt bad for Joe Biden when the president dropped out of the race, they were thrilled by the energy Harris brought to the closest presidential race in 60 years.
“Now it’s not two old men fighting each other, but an old man and a really vibrant young woman,” he said.
Raoul Robinson, a UNR student studying communication, said he had not planned to vote when Biden ran for president, but had already voted for Harris.
“I was filled with excitement and felt the need to vote,” Robinson said.
Colby Thomas, who is part of Gen Z, also said he was excited to have a younger Democratic candidate.
“I think she represents a new generation,” Thomas said. “I think she understands us on a much better level. She is not on the older end. I think she has done well with our economy. It protects reproductive rights.
US House candidate Kidd appears at all rallies, regardless of party
Greg Kidd, the nonpartisan candidate running against GOP incumbent Mark Amodei for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, shook hands with campaign workers outside the venue before entering. He said he has attended every political rally in Northern Nevada this election season. That includes JD Vance’s visit to Reno last week and separate visits by Tim Waltz and Donald Trump earlier this month.
When asked what Nevadans want from politicians this election based on his experience at these rallies, Kidd said, “Most people just want to make sure that gridlock doesn’t stop good things from happening for Nevada. So good for Nevada. They want it to happen.”
The top two presidential candidates are hitting the swing state of Nevada in the final run-up to Election Day.
Kamala Harris is holding two rallies today in Nevada, one in Reno, before heading to Las Vegas for what’s being billed as a rally concert with Jennifer Lopez.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is speaking in Henderson this afternoon, and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will be in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The candidates also stop in Arizona, another swing state, during their visits to the West.
Wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Love” in large letters, Judy Woodworth sat down for a quick face painting with blue, white and silver sparkles at Kamala Harris’ rally in Reno on Thursday.
“I support everything she stands for — women’s rights are very important to me,” Woodworth said, explaining why she drove three hours to see the vice president.
Asked what she thought Harris’ chances were of winning the close presidential race, “100 percent absolutely,” she said and smiled.
Clinton Holeman wore a “Veterans for Harris” T-shirt to see the vice president’s Halloween rally.
“She’s not a traitor, she’s not a rebel,” he said, saying he sees Kamala Harris as much better at the military and protecting the United States than Donald Trump.
“She believes in our Constitution, which I swore to protect and spent two tours in Vietnam doing.”
Holman lives in Douglas County, where he says Republicans outnumber Democrats 3 or 4 to 1, so he felt it was important to show his support for Harris.
“Besides, it’s my birthday,” he said. “We’re excited to be here.”
He added that Trump is even older than him and believes that the former president is clearly showing signs of mental decline.
“He’s crazy,” Holman said, “maybe not fully developed, but he’s getting there.”
Nedra Benitez drove from Truckee on Thursday to see Vice President Kamala Harris for the first time.
“I’m here to support our next president,” she said.
She wants to keep former President Donald Trump out, but is also attending because she likes Harris’ politics.
“I believe in protecting the climate, protecting human rights and women’s rights, especially at this time,” Benitez said. “All of her policies are far and away better than the other’s. And I just believe that she cares and she has compassion and she’s extremely intelligent and extremely energetic and works very hard for the American people.
She was very concerned about how close the race seemed, especially in Nevada.
“What the world could look like with a new Trump presidency is terrifying to me,” Benitez said. “He’s a criminal in so many ways and I can’t believe anyone would stand up for someone like that, much less want him to be their leader and the leader of the free world.”
What you can’t bring to a Kamala Harris rally
All guests will go through an airport-like screening run by the Secret Service. These things are prohibited:
- No bags allowed. Diaper bags and medical bags are allowed.
- No liquids, including empty or full water bottles.
- No external posters.
- No umbrellas
- No vape pens or lighters.
- No weapons.
- No masks or costumed weapons.
Where to park for the Kamala Harris Renault Rally
- If carpooling, direct drivers to 500 N. Sierra St.
- Limited parking is available at the National Bowling Stadium for a fee.
- Free parking is available at 500 N. Sierra St. and 345 N. Virginia St.
Carly Sauvageau and Siobhan McAndrew contributed to this report.
Mark Robison is the state political reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal, occasionally dabbling in other topics. Email comments to [email protected] or comment on Mark’s Greater Reno Facebook page.