By james art Thursday, October 31, 2024 | 10:21 in the evening
In her final stop in the state before Election Day on Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris wished a crowd in North Las Vegas a Happy Nevada Day and reminded them that early voting ends Friday.
In his third and final rally of the day, Harris stood behind the podium at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater after campaigning in Phoenix and Reno hours earlier as the campaign made its final push in two key states.
Harris took aim at proposals she’s championed during her campaign, such as cutting taxes for the middle class, enacting a federal ban on corporate grocery price gouging and signing a bill to restore reproductive rights.
When chants of “Lock him up” erupted at Vice President Kamala Harris’ rally in North Las Vegas, referring to Republican nominee Donald Trump, she paused her speech to respond.
“I hear you, but you know what? The courts will deal with that.” Harris said. “We’ll deal with November.”
Speakers before the vice president embraced much of their consistent rhetoric on the campaign trail, but struck a more assertive tone and kept repeating that only five days remain until Election Day.
Both Harris and Trump have been steadfast on the campaign trail in October, paying particular attention to the seven swing states: Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan and tonight, Nevada.
The two presidential candidates appeared side by side in southern Nevada. In Henderson, Trump spoke at the Lee Family Forum about how Election Day will be “a day of liberation for America” from what he cited as major issues for the country, such as undocumented immigration.
The line-up leading up to Harris included all four Democratic members of the US Congress from Nevada, a performance by the Mexican rock band Maná and a speech by artist Jennifer Lopez.
Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., was the only congressional speaker to acknowledge statewide Republican leadership.
“I hate to break it to you, but Nevada is behind,” Titus said. “We can’t let that happen.”
Republicans are keeping a steady pace across the state — leading Democrats by 42,298 ballots cast, according to the Secretary of State’s figures updated today.
Continuing the campaign’s wave of star power, Lopez provided the final introduction to Harris, with the two embracing before the Democratic nominee began his remarks. Lopez said she’s been on stages in Las Vegas too many times to count, but Thursday’s was the most important she’s been on.
“You are the ones who are going to send the message that Nevada is Harris country,” Lopez said. “Kamala Harris is running for people who dream.” She praised Harris’ campaign promises, such as raising the minimum wage, making college more affordable and supporting immigrants.
Lopez, who is Puerto Rican, spoke about comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s jokes at Trump’s closing remarks in New York on Sunday. At the event, Hinchcliffe sparked a national reaction when he said: “There is literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think his name is Puerto Rico.” After the events, Trump denied knowing the comedian in an interview with Fox News.
“At Madison Square Garden (Trump) reminded us who he really is and how he really feels,” Lopez said. “It wasn’t just Puerto Ricans who were offended that day. It was every Hispanic in this country, it was humanity and anyone of decent character.
The outdoor crowd included attendees dressed in winter clothes, some wearing saris to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, and others wearing Halloween costumes.
Kathy Seaman, a Nevada Democratic Party volunteer, said she came to Southern Nevada because she found a nice place to retire. She has been working with the campaign since August, and next week will be working shifts from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Seaman said attending her fourth and final Harris rally before Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, is a culmination of the work she’s been doing. And while the long line to get into the hall initially scared her, she appreciated the turnout.
“In general, people are very happy to be here,” Seaman said. “Our presence speaks volumes about what we think change will look like.”
In his speech of just over 20 minutes, Harris expressed confidence in a victory in November.
“We need you to vote, Nevada, because we have just five days left in one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime,” Harris said. “And we have work to do, but we like hard work, hard work is good work, hard work is joyful work and, make no mistake, we will win.”