Harris greets supporters
The vice president on Wednesday made a stop at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown in observance of the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. President Joe Biden also visited the Flight 93 memorial, as did former President Donald Trump.
Harris' stop Friday in Johnstown highlights how the battle for the White House has both campaigns spending time and money in the state as the Nov. 5 general election draws near.
Media began arriving at the airport about 9:30 a.m. to cover the event, originally planned as a more intimate meet-and-greet with area union members.
As word got out about the vice president's stop, the event was expanded to include regional Democratic leaders and supporters, who began gathering at the airport well before noon.
Buses were used to transport attendees from overflow parking lots and the crowd swelled.
"We actually wanted to do this at a local union," said Jeffrey Plummer with United Steelworkers 2632. "But once the word got out, it got so much bigger."
Harris, aboard Air Force Two, landed shortly after 1 p.m. and descended the steps to cheers of support, while Secret Service and state police provided security.
Harris was greeted on the tarmac by U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, before making her way to the hangar to greet supporters, shake hands and pose for photographs. She then headed to the motorcade for a tour of local businesses. Harris was scheduled to attend an event in Wilkes-Barre on Friday evening.
While waiting for the vice president's arrival, Plummer and his fellow union members stood front and center at the barricade for hours, not wanting to lose their prime spots, and they could often be seen waving campaign signs.
When asked why he and his union were making this effort to show their support, Plummer cited Harris's casting 33 tie-breaking votes in the U.S. Senate as a key factor.
"The biggest one was the American Rescue Plan and saved 120,000 USW pensions," Plummer said. "So, if she could continue that pro-labor, pro-worker agenda for another four years, that would be great."
He also pointed to her support of infrastructure bills that were "huge in creating jobs, especially in Pennsylvania."
While many attendees listed issues such as universal health care or reproductive rights as reasons why they turned out to support Harris, a common theme was simply to have this region seen as a distinct area, not part of a larger metropolitan area.
"It's always nice to have recognition in this area," Blair County Commissioner Laura Burke said. "There are Democrats here and we are organizing around Kamala Harris."
Bedford County Democrats, represented at the event by a group of six women wearing matching blue shirts, echoed that sentiment, with member Mary Ann Martz saying "we're few, but mighty."
"I think just being acknowledged, like we're not Pittsburgh, we're not Philly, we're not Harrisburg, but we are people," said Andrea Smith, a Bedford County Democrat member. "We may not have the resources that Philly and Pittsburgh have, but we have the people and the enthusiasm."
When asked why they were supporting Harris, Martz said she "couldn't stand Trump," while BCD member Heather Hogset mentioned her children.
"I have a daughter, I have a gay son," Hogset said. "I'm sure as hell not going to support Trump."
As for Bedford County Democrat member Barbara Debski, there was never an option.
"There's just no choice when the choice is anybody versus a convicted felon," Debski said. "Besides, she has such a good record, from DA to attorney general to senator to vice president."
Debski also pointed to Harris's "championing the people" and "not just spewing made-up stories" as reasons for her support.
Nanty Glo resident Eliot Hocke said that while having both presidential candidates in the area within the span of two weeks was a unique opportunity, it was nice to be there for Harris as "someone that we would really like to see succeed."
However, Hocke's friend, Ebensburg resident Rigel Wasilak, said he wasn't going to "be as nice."
"I am here because Donald Trump sucks and he does not deserve the office of the presidency," Wasilak said. "I want to show up and display to the country that despite being in a red territory, we do support Kamala Harris."
Wasilak said Harris was a candidate "for the actual people and not an elitist who had everything handed to her."
"I really like Tim Walz because he is literally just a guy," Wasilak said. "I feel like she actually cares about me, where I feel like Donald Trump would willingly cast me off."
Hocke agreed, and expressed dismay at stories that have been circulating since the debate that involve pets being eaten, illegal aliens and transgender surgeries both in schools and prisons.
Misinformation and sowing division is what disappointed Vietnam veteran and Boalsburg resident Edgar Farmer the most, he said, not only in Trump, but the entire Republican party.
Harris supporters said they were brought together by a promise of unity.
"She's talking about reunification," Farmer said. "She is promoting the economy for all Americans, even those people who may not vote for her."
Farmer said asking how to bring people together is crucial, as well as figuring out how to "get the MAGA people to wake up and say 'she might be right. She might be better for us.'"
"I plan on following her all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue," Farmer said.
Pennsylvania, the most populous presidential swing state, has sided with the winner of the past two elections, each time by just tens of thousands of votes.
With less than 60 days to go before the election, both Harris and Trump are embarking on a post-
debate blitz, which reflects the narrow path to 270 Electoral College votes for both candidates. Not only have the campaigns been concentrating on Pennsylvania, but the spotlight is also on the six other swing states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada and Wisconsin.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.
