Kamala Harris visits Pittsburgh to push economic plan
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Vice President and presidential nominee Kamala Harris returned to Pittsburgh on Wednesday as her focus on Pennsylvania sharpens in the final few weeks ahead of the election.
When Harris accepted her party's nomination on the DNC stage, she promised to make the American dream attainable once again for everyone with economic policies like assistance for first-time home buyers, a ban on price gouging and a child tax credit.
At the beginning of Harris' campaign, there was criticism over a lack of clarity around her specific plans as many tied them to "Bidenomics." She and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz later clarified their economic proposals aimed at lowering the cost of living and boosting the economy.
"When the middle class is strong, America is strong and we can build a stronger middle class. The American economy — we know this — the American economy is the most powerful force for innovation and wealth creation in human history. We just need to move past the failed policies that we have proven don't work," Harris said.
Former President Donald Trump has asked why didn't Harris implement her proposals while serving with President Joe Biden. In response, she has said they were focused on economic recovery once Trump left office.
At noon, a line of people could be seen filing into the Philip Chosky Theatre. Nearly 400 people attended the campaign event, the majority of which had received an invitation.
"She's just wonderful — her ideas, she's smart and I'm all for her," said Harris supporter Diana Hull.
Hull said she agrees with Harris' economic proposals, saying, "I think what has happened over the past three years, there has been improvement, there's an improvement in wages, though some people are not seeing it because these kinds of things I think take a long time to happen.
Trump visited Western Pennsylvania on Monday
Harris and former President Donald Trump are both vying for the battleground state of Pennsylvania. Trump was just in the area on Monday, speaking at an event hosted by a conservative nonprofit in Smithon, Westmoreland County, before holding a rally at IUP.
Trump will also be back in the Pittsburgh area on Oct. 5, returning to the site of the first assassination attempt against him at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
Political experts expect both Harris and Trump to return to Western Pennsylvania several times before Election Day on Nov. 5.
Allegheny County leans to the left, but the Pittsburgh area is surrounded by counties that typically skew more Republican.