Live coverage of Tim Walz rally in Asheville highlights: 'Best rally crowd'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, vice presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket with presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, is holding a rally today, Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Asheville.

Walz's event is the second major political rally in Asheville this year. Last month, former Republican President Donald Trump held a campaign event at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Trump is running for president against Harris.

For today's Walz rally, the Citizen Times has reporters and photographers in the field, getting reaction from attendees, detailing what the event speakers say and covering any aspects of the rally that may arise. Stay with us today as we bring you live updates from the event.

Walz ends speech

From reporter Sarah Honosky:

As he reached the about 30-minute mark of his speech, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said, “Kamala Harris is not running to be in power, she’s running to govern.”

He thanked public employees, like police, firefighters and teachers.

“(Trump) doesn’t understand service to anyone but himself,” Walz said.

He garnered a big cheer from the crowd with a mention of “brave, young Ukrainians,” and Harris “baiting” Trump at the debate.

He ended with what’s become a classic stump speech refrain: “All gas, no brakes,” and “Sleep when you're dead.”

“And as the next President of the United States says, when we fight, we win,” Walz said, closing his speech at 7:10 p.m.

'No plan'

Sarah Honosky reports as Tim Walz addresses the crowd at a campaign rally:

In a frequent stump speech quip, Walz referred to Donald Trump as "an old man shouting at the clouds."

"Donald Trump has no plan for you. He has no plan to improve your life," Walz said. "Kamala Harris? Avery different story."

'Best rally crowd'

A dispatch from the Tim Walz rally by reporter Sarah Honosky:

Walz took the stage at 6:30 p.m. after an introduction from UNC Asheville student and first time voter Steven Nguyen, the crowd roaring.

“Okay, Asheville, you win,” Walz said in greeting.

“My team just said this is the best rally crowd we’ve seen.”

Rain? No worries

Sarah Honosky reports from the Tim Walz rally:

"North Carolina is not going to let a little rain stop us from making Kamala Harris the next president," Walz said, laughing.

A soaked audience, dotted with people in rain jackets and plastic ponchos, cheered.

"Donald Trump did not learn the lesson the first time, but the good news is, he's going to learn the lesson in November," Walz said of Trump's false claims that he won the 2020 election.

Walz is addressing the crowd

Rain picks up

From reporter Will Hofmann:

Rain is coming down a little harder at Salvage Station. "Dancing in the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen and "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor just played.

'Not going back'

Reporter Will Hofmann is sending observations from today's Tim Walz rally at Salvage Station in Asheville.

Asheville Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore took the stage after Bob Orr, beginning with a lively speech. At one point, she led the crowd with a chant of “We are not going back!” — the slogan that Vice President Kamala Harris has taken up in her campaign.

"Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will serve us well, and we have got to serve him well by making sure we get them in in November," Kilgore said.

Republicans for Harris-Walz

Will Hofmann reports from the Tim Walz rally:

The Asheville rally has also featured some bipartisan support for the Harris-Walz campaign. Former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, a long-time Republican, spoke in support of the Harris-Walz campaign. He said he "does not recognize" the current Republican party and jested that they "don't have a concept of a plan" for America's future.

He also noted a plethora of other Republicans supporting the Harris-Walz campaign, including former Vice President Dick Cheney.

"Thank you and thank you for all you do," Orr said. "And you can count me in."

Up next: Prather

Here's a dispatch filed by reporter Will Hofmann from the Tim Walz campaign rally at Salvage Station in Asheville:

State Rep. Lindsey Prather took the stage after Mayor Esther Manheimer. Prather is up for reelection this year and called her seat a "must hold seat" in Buncombe County.

"We've got to put the work in y'all," Prather said, encouraging supporters to register others to vote and canvass.

The rally has started

Will Hofmann reports from Tim Walz's rally:

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer just took the stage as she lays out why she’s fielding support for Walz.

She identified several issues of the campaign, including reproductive rights, democracy and affordable housing, an issue she said is "something we know a lot about in Asheville." The region has previously had the highest Fair Market Rent in the state.

At one point during her speech, the crowd chants: "We are not going back. We are not going back."

Walz has landed

Reporter Sarah Honosky is at Asheville Regional Airport and filed this report:

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, arrived at Asheville Airport at around 5:20 p.m. following stops in Macon and Atlanta, Georgia.

After touching down in Asheville, Walz and his daughter, Hope, were greeted on the tarmac, under a light drizzle, by Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Fletcher Mayor Preston Blakely and former Congressman Heath Shuler.

Manheimer, Blakely and Shuler each shook hands with Walz and spoke to him briefly. Walz, tieless, wearing a blue blazer and white shirt, got directly into a vehicle in the motorcade, which departed the airport around 5:30 p.m.

Never too young

Will Hofmann reports from Salvage Station:

As the youngest field organizer in Western North Carolina, 17-year-old Joey Melone is the finance director for the Young Democrats of North Carolina. At the rally, he could be spotted handing out glasses with the American flag on them and flyers supporting Democratic congressional candidate Caleb Rudow.

He said he felt that affordable housing, financing college and reproductive rights were especially important problems in the 2024 election.

Though he can't vote, he's been working to register those who can.

"I'm going to give my best and then tenfold," Melone said of the 2024 election.

An air of happiness

Reporter Will Hofmann is at Salvage Station as people await today's rally by Tim Walz.

Despite the weather, there is a genuine feeling of happiness in the crowd. People are laughing, singing and, in some cases, busting a move to music provided by Raleigh-based DJ Brian Dawson.

Leicester couple Melanie and Richard Wester expressed their excitement by dancing in the rain to the BeeGees. Melanie Wester said that she was inspired to see Walz speak after the moment he shared with his son, Gus Walz, during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Describing him as "like a normal guy," Richard Wester said Walz's "decency" felt "very different" from recent politics.

Likes Walz's teacher background

Iris Seaton reports ahead of today's rally.

Krista Shalda, a rally attendee, said that as a mother of two children with autism, Walz’s background as a high school teacher and football coach was particularly important to her.

”I just want to really shed light to how having teachers in the White House could be really impactful for us in this county,” Shalda said. “My children do have trouble accessing support in the school system due to many factors that having Walz in the White House could make a difference.”

Excitement ramps up

Will Hofmann reports from Salvage Station ahead of today's Tim Walz rally.

Drinking beer under a tent at Salvage Station, Hendersonville couple John and Jan Caldemeyer are braving the weather today for the Walz rally.

Jan Caldemeyer said she was excited for Walz to speak on reproductive rights. However, the duo did say that they were more excited by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign as they "weren't excited earlier."

"We are very grateful that he stepped aside and gave us Kamala Harris," Jan Caldemeyer said of President Joe Biden.  John Caldemeyer said he hopes Walz "communicates more confidence" in Harris' ability to win the Tar Heel State.

People are coming

Buses full of attendees began to arrive around 3:30 p.m., says reporter Iris Seaton from the scene of the Tim Walz campaign rally.

A break from canvassing

Will Hoffman is sending reports from from the Tim Walz rally.

Retired Pisgah Legal Services executive director Jim Barrett is owning up to something he told me just a few months ago. In his retirement interview a few months ago, Barrett said he chose the past few months to retire so he could volunteer for the upcoming election.

And ... in the rain with a cup of coffee, Barrett is doing just that. He said that today was his "break" from canvassing, where he said he's been working to get out the vote on behalf of Democratic candidates. He said he's been working to get people registered to vote.

"I've been encouraging people to vote and reaching out for everybody," Barrett said.

What's on people's minds?

Iris Seaton reports from the scene ahead of today's rally by Tim Walz:

As the line begins to move forward, a theme pops up among the buzzing crowd: Many Harris-Walz supporters have a long list of things they’re hoping the Democratic candidates will deliver in office.

Attendee Gabrielle White mentioned a “litany” of issues the ticket has expressed support of. Medicaid and improvements to the health care system, environmental protections, tax credits for purchasing homes and raising children, women’s rights and more were all at the top of White’s mind.

“I came out to be with like-minded people who hopefully are on the same page as me of wanting to keep democracy intact,” White said.

Food trucks on site

Will Hofmann reports from Salvage Station:

Before attendees start filing in, rain is still steady, though drizzly, at Salvage Station. The venue is known for its sprawling outside space, and it seems the Harris-Walz campaign are using it in a variety of ways. Three food trucks have set up on the edge of the venue, serving coffee, pizza and Cuban sandwiches. A small line has formed for the coffee truck.

Middle class, women's right to choose key issues

Iris Seaton reports from the scene of the Tim Walz rally.

At 2:50 p.m., attendees to Walz’s rally clad in raincoats and sporting umbrellas waited in droves for the doors to open beneath gray skies and relentless drizzle.

Spirits were still high among those waiting despite the dreary weather.

Shanda Christian, who introduced herself as “Shanda Panda,” said she saw the rally as an opportunity to gather with neighbors in support of a worthy cause.

“There are several things I like to focus on,” Christian said. “The middle class and programs that support people that are working hard to to build community, build their own lives, and everything like that. I really support the support of women — a woman’s right to choose, or a family's right to choose.”

People lining up ahead of Walz rally

Photographer Josh Bell is at the site of today's Tim Walz campaign rally in Asheville and sent photos of people lining up. Doors open at 3 p.m.

What will Walz talk about?

A look at Tim Walz's rally Sept. 14 may give an indication of what he will talk about today in Asheville. According to reporting from Alison Dirr of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Walz opened Saturday's event at University of Wisconsin-Superior this way:

Walz opened by offering a "life hack" for men: "Surround yourself with smart women and listen to them and you’ll do just fine."

Women will be an important voting bloc in the election, and the Harris-Walz campaign has leaned into abortion rights as a key campaign issue. Trump comes to the race with a polarizing history with women and reproductive rights.

Walz also name-dropped Taylor Swift, who endorsed Harris after Tuesday's debate, signing her Instagram post as a "Childness Cat Lady" in reference to past derisive comments by Vance.

"It’s really great to have all of these women help us beat the smallest man in the world, Donald Trump," Walz said.

From the scene

Reporter Iris Seaton visited the scene of today's Tim Walz Rally in Asheville:

As of noon, the parking lot was occupied mainly by police and bomb squad vehicles ensuring the security of the area for Gov. Walz’s arrival later in the afternoon.

Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations officers waited out the rain beneath tents, prepared security checkpoints for attendees and monitored entrances and exits to the lot.

Don't bring these

Iris Seaton reports on what the Harris-Walz campaign sent regarding things that will be prohibited at today's Tim Walz rally. Here's what to know:

An email from the Harris Walz campaign advised attendees that all guests will be required to pass through a United States Secret Service security checkpoint before entering the event.

A valid, government-issued photo ID confirming your RSVP is required for entry. The following items are prohibited:

• Liquids of any quantity, aerosols, or gels. (Medical items accepted.)

• Bags larger than a clutch - please leave big bags in your car.

• Outside posters or signs.

• Umbrellas, of any size.

• Vape pens or lighters.

• Knives, firearms, weapons, or otherwise dangerous objects

• Any other item deemed hazardous by the United States Secret Service

Who else is speaking at the Tim Walz rally?

While an official speakers list for the Tim Walz campaign rally has not been announced, at least one statewide candidate has announced that he'll be in the area when the Minnesota governor makes his Asheville debut.

Attorney General Josh Stein is set to present the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to retired WLOS anchor Darcel Grimes and Chief District Court Judge J. Calvin Hill at 4 p.m. today at the YMI Cultural Center downtown. The award is the highest award for state service granted by the governor of North Carolina.

Stein is running for governor in a heated race against Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.

After the award ceremony, Stein will be in the same town as the rally venue.

Check your spam folder

Did you request tickets to today's Tim Walz rally in Asheville? We're hearing that emails from the Harris-Walz campaign with access confirmation and location with parking details are going into people's junk or spam folders. If you're missing those emails, check those folders, and the information might be there.

Walz rally location announced

Just as we were venting about the lack of information about the venue for Tim Walz's rally today in Asheville, we found an announcement from the campaign about where the event will be held has been sent out to people who showed interest in attending the event.

Location frustration

As of 9:30 this morning, the Harris-Walz campaign has yet to announce where today's Tim Walz rally in Asheville will be held.

"This is nuts," said Lewis of Hendersonville, who asked that we not use his last name. "I received my 'Instructions for Asheville Rally with ... Walz' email this morning. Then, 'if space allows we''ll reach out with more information ... including address'"

People want to know where the rally will be held. So do we. And we'll let you know as soon as we find out.

Why Asheville?

We asked this question ahead of Trump's Aug. 14 rally. In her article, Reporter Sarah Honosky quoted Western Carolina's Chris Cooper, professor of political science and public affairs:

“Asheville may not seem the most natural place for Trump. At the same time, Asheville is in a battleground state, it hits multiple media markets in multiple states and clearly Asheville is going to draw from Western North Carolina in general."

Here's what Cooper said ahead of today's rally, again reported by Honosky:

"The candidates and surrogates for the Democratic candidates for president have not spent as much time in Western North Carolina as have the Republicans, in recent years. So it makes sense that the Democrats would want to show a little more love and show a little more attention to the western part of the state."

Rally timing

Walz is expected to arrive in Asheville around 4:30 p.m. That means he is unlikely to speak before 5 p.m., and he could take the stage later than that. What the campaign has yet to divulge is the location of the rally.

Weather update

Western North Carolina needed rain, with western counties in moderate drought while Asheville has abnormally dry conditions. A sunny day would be perfect for the Walz campaign.

Unfortunately for Walz, it looks like WNC is getting the rain it needs. The National Weather Service is calling for heavy rain for much of today in Asheville, with 1-2 inches possible. The good news for the Walz rally is that the rain is forecast to become more spotty after 3 p.m., with showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 3-5 p.m., and then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m.

The takeaway: Attendees should bring a rain jacket to the rally today.

Todd Runkle is the Carolinas Connect editor and also a trending news editor for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Tim Walz in Asheville: Live updates of campaign rally