What the Vice President Said at a Campaign Stop

Thousands of people packed the Reno Events Center on Thursday to hear Vice President Kamala Harris speak at her first rally in Northern Nevada since taking over the top spot on the Democratic ticket.

Harris took the stage at 5:30 p.m.

Nevada is considered a swing state, and the race with former President Donald Trump is extremely tight. Trump held a slight lead over Harris for the first time since August in Nevada, according to the New York Times polling average.

Here is the result of the rally.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke for about 20 minutes to a crowd of about 6,000 supporters Thursday night at the Reno Events Center.

“In this election, we have the opportunity to turn the page on Donald Trump’s decade-long attempt to make us fear each other, but we are done with that,” she said.

“It’s time for a new generation of leaders in America.”

Despite being interrupted by a handful of critics midway through his performance, Harris kept the atmosphere upbeat, delivering lines that drew applause to drown it out.

It is not clear what they were shouting. In response to the criticism, part of the crowd chanted, “We love you, Kamala!”

Harris included many policy proposals in her speech.

“If you are caring for an elderly parent, my plan will cover home health care for older adults through Medicaid,” she said in one example.

The crowd stomped their feet frequently, creating a booming rhythm throughout the arena.

Harris said former President Trump has compiled a list of enemies he wants to take revenge on during his first day in office.

“I have a to-do list,” she said.

“I will always put country before party. That’s what leaders do.”

Visit RGJ.com to learn more about the Kamala Harris Rally in Reno.

Following Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto made a brief statement to the crowd at the Kamala Harris rally, which swelled to about 6,000 people at the Reno Events Center.

The venue’s capacity is listed as 7,000 people. The area is blocked off to media and security, but the room appears crowded, especially on the floor around the stage.

This election is “about a future in which every Nevada has the opportunity to succeed,” Cortez Masto said. “We’re talking about a future where women have control over their bodies again.”

The senator encouraged everyone to come out and vote.

“We are at the last stage,” she said. “Are we going to knock on these doors? Are we going to drive the people around us crazy until they come out to vote?”

Yes, said the crowd, waving signs before chanting, “We’re not coming back!”

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, a registered nonpartisan, warmed up the crowd at Kamala Harris’ rally Thursday, forcing both sides of the arena to try to outsmart each other.

She has been mayor for the past 12 years in three presidential administrations.

Under the Trump administration, we weren’t even invited to the White House,” she said. “How can you work with someone if they don’t even invite you to the table? What does this tell you?

“Let me tell you about Biden-Harris. “I have a direct line of communication – a direct line because they care about Reno, because they care about the families of Washoe.”

Shive said she met with Harris several times.

“We had in-depth conversations about mental health, reproductive rights, small business,” the mayor said. “She understands.”

Last night, David Dawson made a last-minute decision to travel with his wife and two children from their home in Sacramento at 8 a.m. to attend a rally in Reno. They stood in line for about an hour before he headed to security.

“My kids, my 8- and 11-year-old, had to cancel their Halloween plans,” Dawson said. “I think this is a really big and mature thing to do. I had to tell them what they witnessed.”

Dawson is a lifelong California Democrat who said he thought it was important for his children to see the event.

“This is our last chance to see Kamala Harris before she gets elected…to bring her our daughter and our son, but especially our daughter. Because she’s older and more understanding, and also because it’s so important to her to see the first female president,” Dawson said.

Also in line was Siya Smith, originally from Four Corners, New Mexico, but now living in Fallon. She said Harris won her support because of her stance on Indigenous sovereignty and reproductive rights.

“I think (the campaign) is going well,” Smith said. “I noticed it was very close.”

That sentiment was echoed by Rod and Heidi Tyler, who traveled an hour from California to attend the rally.

“We hope to be smiling in a week,” Rod Tyler said.

While Tyler said he felt sorry for Joe Biden when the president dropped out of the race, they were encouraged by the energy Harris brought to the closest presidential race in 60 years.

“It’s no longer two old men facing off against each other, but one old man and one really spirited young woman,” he said.

Raoul Robinson, a UNR communications student, said he did not plan to vote when Biden ran for president but had already voted for Harris.

“I was filled with excitement and felt compelled to vote,” Robinson said.

Colby Thomas, who is part of Generation Z, also said he was glad to have a younger Democratic candidate.

“I think she represents a new generation,” Thomas said. “I think she understands us on a much better level. She’s not on the old end. I think she has done a good job with our economy. She advocates for reproductive rights.”

U.S. House candidate Kidd appears at all rallies, regardless of party

Greg Kidd, the nonpartisan candidate running against Republican incumbent Mark Amodei in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, shook hands with campaign workers outside the election site before entering. He said he has attended every political rally in Northern Nevada this election season. This includes J.D. Vance’s visit to Reno last week, as well as separate visits by Tim Walz and Donald Trump earlier this month.

When asked what Nevadans want from politicians in this election, based on his experience attending these rallies, Kidd responded, “Most people just want to make sure the gridlock doesn’t get in the way of the good things happening in Nevada. So this is good for Nevada. They want this to happen.”

The two leading presidential candidates have hit the swing state of Nevada hard ahead of Election Day.

Kamala Harris is holding two rallies in Nevada today, one in Reno, and then heading to Las Vegas for a rally and concert with Jennifer Lopez.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump speaks in Henderson this afternoon, and his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, will be in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The candidates are also making stops in Arizona, another swing state, during their visits to the West.

Wearing a shirt that read “Love” in big letters, Judy Woodworth quickly painted her face with blue, white and silver glitter at a Kamala Harris rally in Reno on Thursday.

“I support everything she stands for – women’s rights are very important to me,” Woodworth said, explaining why she drove three hours to meet the vice president.

Asked what she thought Harris’ chances were of winning the presidential race, she replied, “Absolutely, 100 percent,” with a smile.

Clinton Holeman wore a “Veterans for Harris” T-shirt to attend the vice president’s Halloween rally.

“She is not a traitor or a rebel,” he said, saying he believes Kamala Harris is far better at handling the military and protecting the United States than Donald Trump.

“She believes in our Constitution, which I swore to defend and did two tours in Vietnam to do.”

Holeman lives in Douglas County, where he said Republicans outnumber Democrats 3 to 4 to 1, so he felt it was important to show his support for Harris.

“Besides, it’s my birthday,” he said. “We’re really excited to be here.”

He added that Trump is even older than him, and he believes the former president is clearly showing signs of mental decline.

“He’s crazy,” Holeman said, “maybe not completely crazy, but he gets there.”

Nedra Benitez traveled from Truckee on Thursday to meet Vice President Kamala Harris for the first time.

“I’m here to support our next president,” she said.

She wants to keep former President Donald Trump out of office, but she also attended the event because she likes Harris’ policies.

“I believe in climate protection, human rights and women’s rights, especially at this moment,” Benitez said. “All her policies are much better than that other guy’s. And I just believe that she cares, she has compassion, she is extremely smart, extremely driven and works extremely hard for the American people.”

She’s very concerned about how close the race seems, especially in Nevada.

“What the world might look like under another Trump presidency is terrifying to me,” Benitez said. “He’s a criminal in so many ways and I can’t believe anyone would stand up for someone like him, much less want him to be their leader and the leader of the free world.”

What not to take with you to a Kamala Harris rally

All guests will undergo airport-style screening conducted by the Secret Service. These things are prohibited:

Bags are not allowed. Diaper bags and medical bags are permitted.
No liquids, including empty or full water bottles.
No external posters.
No umbrellas
No vape pens or lighters.
No weapons.
No masks or costumed weapons.

Where to Park at the Kamala Harris Reno Rally

If you are using rideshare, direct drivers to 500 N. Sierra St.
Limited parking is available at the National Bowling Stadium for an additional fee.
Free parking is available at 500 N. Sierra St. and 345 N. Virginia St.

Carly Sauvageau and Siobhan McAndrew contributed to this report.

Mark Robison is a public policy reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal who occasionally covers other topics. Send comments by email [email protected] or comment Mark Greater Reno Facebook Page.