With Election Day less than a month away, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris held a rally in Greenville, N.C., Sunday, while Ohio Sen. JD Vance — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate — held two events in the state, including a town hall in Greensboro Thursday and a rally in Wilmington Wednesday.
The Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance campaigns continue to make appearances in North Carolina in the hopes of securing the state’s 16 electoral votes. As of Oct. 16, the 538 polling average has the race essentially even in North Carolina, with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump leading Harris by just 0.5 points.
Vance in Wilmington
Vance’s rally in Wilmington was held the day before early voting started in North Carolina and follows an appearance from Trump in the city a few weeks ago. Wilmington residents have historically voted Republican in every presidential election since at least 2004 except for the last one.
Vance praised Trump’s record as president while criticizing Harris’ campaign platform and actions as vice president.
“You don’t have to agree with everything that Donald Trump says, but who can dispute that when he was the president of the United States, we had rising take home pay, we had low inflation and we had a secure southern border?” he asked.
Vance’s criticism of Harris was largely aimed at her stances on immigration and her work coordinating diplomatic efforts for the Biden administration. He also scrutinized Harris’ recent media appearances, calling her interviews “softballs.”
“I think the most important thing about Kamala Harris is that she's incompetent,” Vance said.
He linked this “incompetence” to the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene, which ravaged much of western North Carolina several weeks ago.
“The bureaucratic incompetence that delayed resources to get to people — that was an act of Kamala Harris and failed leadership,” Vance said.
He then touched on some of Trump’s promised policies — including lowering the cost of living and securing the southern border. He said that a Trump administration would cut taxes, cut “terrible” regulations on business and lower the cost of fuel and electricity.
Notably, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson did not attend the rally, and Vance again attempted to distance the campaign from the controversial Republican gubernatorial nominee.
“Who the North Carolina voters make their next governor is up to the people of North Carolina,” Vance said when asked if the Trump-Vance campaign still endorses Mark Robinson for governor. “What I'm here to do is to persuade them that they need to make Donald Trump their next president.”
Vance ended his speech by encouraging Republicans to get out and vote.
“My friends, get out there, make your voice heard and that is how we’re going to make Donald J. Trump the next president of the United States,” he said.
Vance also held a town hall in Greensboro last week where he energized hundreds of supporters. He was joined by NASCAR driver Danica Patrick to discuss the economy, illegal immigration and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
He touted Trump’s policy of drilling to lower prices and noted the ease of “competent administration[s]” to deport undocumented immigrants.
Harris in Greenville
Harris held a rally at East Carolina University Sunday, where about 7,000 supporters gathered to hear her speak, and U.S. Rep. Don Davis and N.C. Sens. Kandie Smith and Rachel Hunt — the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor — endorsed the presidential candidate.
The 25-minute speech began with a recognition of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
“I have spoken to both state and local officials, both Republican and Democrat, to let them know we will be with you every step of the way as you recover,” Harris said.
She questioned Trump’s refusal to release his medical records and his unwillingness to participate in a second debate or a 60 Minutes interview.
“Are [Trump’s staff] afraid that people will see he is too weak and unstable to lead America?” Harris asked.
Pivoting to her own campaign, Harris promoted her plan to provide $25,000 in down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers, expand Medicare to cover home health care for seniors and cut taxes for the middle class.
Earlier in the day, Harris attended a service at Koinonia Christian Center. The stop was part of her “Souls to the Polls” campaign, which aims to turn out “Black churchgoers” on Election Day.
Walz is set to hold a rally in Durham Thursday with former President Bill Clinton.
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Ava Littman is a Trinity sophomore and an associate news editor for the news department.