By james art 
Kamala Harris, current vice president and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, visited the Reno Events Center on Oct. 31 to highlight health care, the cost of living crisis and abortion to a raucous crowd of supporters.
Harris began his political discussion with the economy after first urging attendees to vote. She told the crowd that her agenda would include building affordable housing, a federal ban on what she called “corporate price gouging” on groceries and tax-free tips for the service sector.
Health care also dominated Harris’ remarks.
“If you’re caring for an elderly parent,” Harris said, “My plan will cover the cost of home health care for seniors with Medicare, so you don’t have to spend all the savings you have to qualify for Medicaid. It’s about dignity so that older people can stay in their homes.
Especially, she added, for Americans who consider themselves part of the “sandwich generation,” caring for elderly parents and young children at the same time.
Harris then criticized the economic plans of Donald Trump, her Republican opponent, which she said were worlds apart.
“Donald Trump’s response to the financial pressures you face is the same as it was last time,” Harris said. “Another Trillion Dollars in Tax Cuts for Billionaires and Big Business.”
Trump’s controversial 2017 tax cuts, which he signed into law in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, are still in effect and expire in 2025. A report from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimated that the wealthiest Americans had biggest income benefit.
Harris further criticized Trump’s abortion policies and general views on women. Trump’s recent remarks at a rally in Wisconsin, where he said he would “protect” women “whether women like it or not,” were at the center of Harris’ remarks.
“He doesn’t believe that women have agency or power in their own lives,” Harris said. “This is a man who does not respect women’s freedom or women’s intelligence to make decisions in their own lives. What he plans is a national abortion ban, limiting access to birth control and forcing states to monitor women’s pregnancies.
While falling short of the call for a national abortion ban, heavily restricting abortion, controlling access to birth control and monitoring abortions and miscarriages appear prominently in Project 2025, a policy initiative that Trump has publicly stated will no relation to her. However, several members of his current and former campaign, several of his former campaign or White House staff are involved, according to reports from the New York Times.
Harris, along with guest speakers such as Catherine Cortez Masto, a current senator from Nevada, and Hillary Sheave, a current mayor of Reno, mentioned Republicans who are voting across the aisle to support her over Trump this election season. They told attendees that their main task before Election Day is not just to vote up and down Democrats, but to get undecided voters to join them.
Michael Gordon Jr., an apprentice with the Labor International Union of North America (LiUNA), said he was raised with Republican ideas and has voted for the party all his life. But Gordon told the crowds that this election is different because of Trump.
“Donald Trump changed everything,” Gordon said. “That is why in this election I am putting my country and my family before my party. This election is about Vice President Harris, who is fighting for you and me, and Donald Trump, who is focused on his own agenda and grievances instead of the American people.
Harris herself drew an even starker contrast between herself and Trump, telling the audience: “Donald Trump on day one would have walked into this office with a list of enemies. When they pick me, I’ll go in with a to-do list.”
Harris’ remarks referenced recent coverage that tallied instances where Trump has promised to “pursue or punish perceived enemies,” according to NPR’s coverage.
During Harris’ closing remarks, she added that among the many she listed in whom she saw “America’s promise” were “Republicans who have never voted for a Democrat before but have put the Constitution of the United States above party.” .
Addressing recent indications that Nevada could swing in Trump’s favor this election cycle, Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told attendees they still have a fighting chance.
“Everybody’s listing you,” Harrison said. “Everyone, a good friend of mine says when they count you, you teach them they don’t know how to count.”
Peregrine Hart can be contacted by email at [email protected] or on Instagram @pintofperegrine.