Three college-aged voters stood in a clump, awaiting the start of a Durham rally for vice presidential nominee Tim Walz on Thursday. Hundreds of supporters buzzed around them, clutching signs that read “Let’s Go Coach!” and “Vote for Freedom.”
“We had to come out to witness this political moment, to see him in person,” said Lucinda Rosen, 21, a Durham Technical Community College student.
Kegan Edwards, a software engineer from Chapel Hill, nodded. “We’re all decided on Harris-Walz, and excited,” said Edwards, 24.
Walz traveled to North Carolina, a crucial battleground state, to celebrate the first day of early voting. He was joined by former President Bill Clinton and a handful of local leaders, including Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton and state Rep. Zack Hawkins, in the gymnasium of the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park.
The rally marked Walz’s third trip to the state as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Harris visited last week, stopping in Raleigh to packaid boxes for people impacted by recent hurricanes and rallying in Greenville. The pair are trailing Republicans Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, though statewide polling showsNorth Carolina teetering between red and blue.At the rally, Walz spoke of his rural, middle-class upbringing and touted his background as a hunter and gun owner. He also urged attendees to vote early, promoting the Democratic National Committee’s voter information website.
“There is one political party that’s pro-democracy,” Walz said. “And that’s us.”
Clinton poked at Trump and praised Harris for her choice of a running mate. “I will not spend 30 minutes swaying back and forth for you,” he said, drawing laughs. “I will not clap off beat, nor will I pretend to be a conductor, because we got a race to win. And we have to win it.”
The former president encouraged early voting and said attendees should dedicate “the rest of the time all the way up to the Election Day taking other people to the polls.”
Durham is home to Duke University, North Carolina Central University and Durham Tech, and a short drive from UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. Combined, the schools offer thousands of eligible young voters that Harris and Walz hope to capture.
Middleton emphasized the area’s importance this election. Local Democrats are aiming for 80% voter turnout in Durham County and say the margin could flip the state blue for the first time since 2008.
“We can read,” Middleton repeated, noting that Durham is the fourth most educated city in the nation. “We know that if this state is going to be won, Durham is going to have a large part to do with it.”
Devin Freeman, a senior at N.C. Central, introduced Walz with a speech that centered young voters. “Donald Trump would be a disaster for students,” Freeman said, drawing boos from the crowd.
He spoke of Project 2025, the conservative blueprint for a second Trump term that proposes dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and rescinding student loan forgiveness programs. Trump has tried to distance himself from the plan, though many of his allies contributed.
Rosen, the Durham Tech student, said she hopes to see greater political participation on campus as Election Day nears.
“Engagement varies,” Rosen said with a sigh. “But I do think people understand this is an important election.”
Above: Former President Bill Clinton and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz appeared at a Durham rally Thursday. Photos by Abigail Bromberger — The 9th Street Journal
