With just under a week until Election Day, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris held a rally in Raleigh, while Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump rallied in Rocky Mount Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, the 538 polling average shows that Trump narrowly leads the battleground state by one point. As of Tuesday, roughly 3.2 million early ballots had been cast, accounting for 40.7% of registered voters in the state. Early voting in North Carolina ends Saturday.
Harris campaign
Harris held a rally at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park, marking her 20th appearance in the state. During her speech, she warned that Trump would attempt to restrict access to birth control and “ban abortion nationwide.”
She also pledged to reduce taxes on the middle class and enact the “first-ever federal ban” on price gouging of groceries.
Harris described Trump as “unstable” and “obsessed with revenge.”
“If he is elected, on day one Donald Trump will walk into that office with an enemies list,” she said. “When I am elected, I will walk in with a to-do list.”
Harris also emphasized the importance of unity in her vision of the country, noting that she “pledge[s] to be a president for all Americans, and to always put country above party and self.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — Harris’ running mate — also visited North Carolina Wednesday.
Walz rallied for Harris in Charlotte at the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party Center, with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles in attendance. He urged volunteers in attendance to appeal to undecided voters.
Walz also criticized Hinchcliffe’s comments towards Puerto Rico, arguing that he and Harris will “stand with joyful people over hate.”
Trump campaign
During his rally at the Rocky Mount Event Center, Trump referenced a recent controversy surrounding comments by President Joe Biden in response to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe.
At a recent Trump rally, Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as “an island of garbage.” In response, Biden stated that “the only garbage I see floating out there is [Trump's] supporters,” according to a White House transcript.
Trump rebuffed Biden’s words, which Trump perceived as referring to his supporters themselves as “garbage.” Trump instead described his supporters as “the heart and soul of America.”
Trump also spoke of his various immigration plans, including a deportation program, the ban of sanctuary cities and the death penalty “for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a law enforcement official.”
He highlighted his promise to boost the nationwide economy, pledging “the lowest taxes, the lowest energy costs, the lowest regulatory burdens, and free access to the best and biggest market on the planet.”
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance is expected to attend a student town hall Thursday in High Point, hosted by Turning Point Action and Turning Point PAC.
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Winston Qian is a Pratt sophomore and health/science editor for the news department.