Harris, Walz begin bus tour in southeast Georgia

Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), embarked Wednesday on a two-day bus tour through southeast Georgia as part of an effort to reach voters in more rural pockets of the battleground state.

Harris and Walz stopped at Liberty County High School in Hinesville, a town of roughly 35,000 people, where they addressed a group of students who are part of the school band. Walz, a former teacher, and Harris spoke about the importance of lifting up younger generations to be future leaders.

“It’s not a cliche. This is truly about building toward the future, and you’re that future,” Walz said.

“Your generation, all that you guys stand for, everything you have at stake, is what is going to propel our country into the next era of what we can do and what we can be,” Harris said.

Harris told the students she was also a member of her school band growing up.

The visit to Georgia marks the first time Harris and Walz traveled to the pivotal battleground state together. Harris earlier this month spoke in Atlanta to a crowd of thousands prior to selecting a running mate.

The bus tour will wind through southern Georgia and conclude with a rally in the Savannah area with Harris, after Walz leaves the state Thursday night. The two will also sit for a joint interview with CNN while in the state.

The campaign is investing heavily in the Peach State, with more than 170 Democratic staffers in 24 coordinated offices across the state.

President Biden carried Georgia in 2020 by fewer than 12,000 votes, becoming the first Democrat since 1992 to win the state. The state will be pivotal for former President Trump in November because it is one of the clearest pickup opportunities on the map as he charts a path to 270 electoral votes.

Trump and his team have sought to present a united front with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), whom Trump previously ridiculed and attacked for refusing to question the 2020 election results.

A Decision Desk HQ/The Hill average of polls from Georgia showed Trump leading Harris by roughly 3 percentage points in the state.

“Georgians are united behind one thing — they know America cannot afford another four years of Kamala Harris’ failed, weak, and dishonest leadership,” GOP Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement.