Second gentleman Doug Emhoff made an appearance at an annual Labor Day Democratic get-together to campaign for his wife Vice President Kamala Harris Monday afternoon in Newport News.
Hundreds showed up to U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott’s cookout to hear Emhoff speak as the presidential election heads into its final weeks. Emhoff touted Harris’ achievements while contrasting her vision with that of former President Donald Trump.
“Kamala is pro-worker,” Emhoff said. “She’s pro-business and she’s pro-family. Donald Trump is pro-himself.”
Emhoff described a whirlwind last few weeks as President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and Harris clinched the Democratic nomination. He said many conversations with Harris nowadays are to discuss which battleground states they will be visiting that day.
He also praised her commitment to labor unions while describing Trump and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance’s campaign as offering nothing but authoritarianism and misogyny.
“That’s their platform,” Emhoff said. “That’s all they got.”
Dozens of other candidates and elected officials, including Scott, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, U.S. Reps. Jennifer McClellan, Abigail Spanberger and others, attended the event.
Scott said the cookout, which is held at his childhood home, began in 1977 with just around 30 attendees as a way to thank volunteers before the last campaign push before November. Around 1,300 people attended the event Monday, according to campaign officials.
“We appreciate the neighbors putting up with it, but it’s great fun,” Scott said.
It was a busy Labor Day for the Harris campaign. She made stops in Detroit and in Pittsburgh with Biden, according to the campaign. Her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, spoke at a labor gathering in Milwaukee.
Trump did not schedule any Monday events, according to his campaign website. He plans to hold a Saturday rally in central Wisconsin.
Early voting in Virginia begins Sept. 20.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
