By Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz returned to the Pittsburgh region Wednesday as part of a campaign swing across Pennsylvania, ordering a milkshake in Moon and feeding calves on a Fayette County farm.
A plane carrying Walz, the governor of Minnesota and running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, touched down at Pittsburgh International Airport around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has arrived in Pittsburgh. Follow @triblive along, we will be traveling with Walz on his visit this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/Otd5mcl01t
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 4, 2024
Walz emerged from the plane about a half-hour later, accompanied by his daughter Hope. He chatted briefly with Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato before getting into a vehicle and making his way to the MilkShake Factory on Moon’s University Boulevard.
Tim Walz have arrived at Milkshake Factory in Moon. It’s a local Pittsburgh chain. He is getting mint cookies and cream and splitting with his daughter hope pic.twitter.com/4ClimuYUBT
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 4, 2024
Walz spent less than 5 minutes inside the dessert shop. He joked that his daughter asked him not to order a vanilla shake, so they decided on mint cookies and cream.
From there, Walz and members of the press pool traveled nearly an hour and a half southeast to Maple Bottom Farm in Fayette County’s Lower Tyrone Township, about midway between Dawson and Westmoreland County’s Scottdale on Route 819.
The dairy farm with a farmhouse bed-and-breakfast is owned by Vickie and Mike Baker and their children, Lee and Clara, according to Maple Bottom’s website.
Walz, who grew up on a farm in Nebraska, told the family that he appreciates their work ethic, noting “there is no holiday in farming.”
Walz speaking with the farming family, he said he appreciates their work ethic. “there is no holiday in farming.” Walz grew up on a farm in Nebraska pic.twitter.com/ZCmAAMOlxF
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 4, 2024
While there, Walz fed some calves. One calf was having trouble using a metal apparatus to feed, but Walz figured out how to feed the calf without using it.
Tim Walz feeding a calf at Maple Bottom Farm in Fayette County, PA. The calf was having trouble using the metal apparatus, but Walz figured out how to feed the calf without it. pic.twitter.com/nFErR8J3Ia
— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) September 4, 2024
During his hour at the farm, Walz also enjoyed some cheese curds and chatted with the Baker family about their farm and the issues it faces, including veterinarian shortages.
Vickie Baker also discussed energy policy with Walz. She said she is supportive of solar energy, but not on productive farmland.
Walz agreed. “You can’t take away productive land for it,” he said.
The family also discussed natural gas, and said it should be a resource that is tapped and not spurned. Walz spoke about record domestic oil and natural gas production under the Biden-Harris administration.
Walz also spoke of his record in Minnesota supporting an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes using fossil fuels where necessary and renewable energy sources like wind.
The farm is the heart of an area that has voted overwhelmingly for former President Donald Trump in the past two elections. In 2020, Trump defeated President Joe Biden by a 2-to-1 margin in Fayette County. In 2016, Trump collected 64% of the votes cast in Fayette County compared to Hilary Clinton’s 33%.
A flag supporting Trump waved on a neighbor’s property next to Maple Bottom Farm and other flags and signs supporting the former president were a common sight in the area.
As for Walz dedicating valuable campaign time in such a Republican stronghold, Shippensburg University political science professor Alison Dagnes said, “Pennsylvania will likely be the tipping-point state in the election and every vote counts. Gov. Walz knows that rural voters deserve as much attention as suburban and city residents, and the only way to actually win their votes is to talk with them.”
Walz’s visit to Fayette County won’t sway Neisy Culler, owner of the Scottdale Laundromat and a self-described “Republican through and through.”
“I’m actually very surprised they’d come this way,” she said of Walz’s visit. “If you look around this way, there’s nothing but Trump and (his running mate JD) Vance signs.”
She said Scottdale has been hit hard by the economy, forcing the closure of small businesses and having people unable to afford groceries or gas.
Walz’s visit also surprised Mt. Pleasant’s James Suitur, who was walking down Pittsburgh Street in Scottdale on Wednesday night.
“I’m surprised, (with this) being such a big Republican area,” he said.
Suitur, who described his political leanings as “kind of independent,” did not say who he will vote for in November. But he said he thinks Walz complements Harris well on the Democratic ticket and Walz’s visit to the area “could sway a few voters.”
Walz, who did not take questions from reporters during either of two stops in Western Pennsylvania, came to the area from an event in Lancaster earlier Wednesday. He is scheduled to travel to Erie on Thursday for a rally there.
Walz and Harris have made campaigning in Western Pennsylvania a priority.
The pair toured Beaver and Allegheny counties last month, visiting local landmarks including a Sheetz store, a Primanti Bros. restaurant and Aliquippa’s High School football stadium, now called Heinz Field. On Labor Day, Harris rallied with union members on the city’s South Side. Harris is scheduled to return to Pittsburgh for an official White House visit Thursday.
Both Democrats and Republicans understand how important Pennsylvania is to their chances come November. Pennsylvania is the biggest swing state in the country, with 19 Electoral College votes. A recent CNN poll said Pennsylvania’s race is a virtual dead heat between Harris and Trump.
Trump and his running mate Vance have also been campaigning heavily in Western Pennsylvania lately. Trump rallied in Johnstown last Friday, and Vance was in Erie last week and in Lower Burrell earlier in August.
The former president returned to Pennsylvania on Wednesday for a town hall-style event in Harrisburg with Fox News.
