Rhode Island adds its bit to growing Kamala Harris-Tim Walz momentum
By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current
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| The Catholic Diocese disapproved of Salve Regina hosting the event. Under former Bishop Tobin, the diocese frequently supported right-wing politicians |
The Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee spoke to over 300 donors who paid a minimum ticket price of $1,000 each to attend the event at Ochre Court, the Gilded Age mansion that serves as the Catholic college’s main administration building. Walz highlighted his own humble beginnings and those of the woman at the top of the ticket, in contrast to the opulent ballroom setting.
“Where else but America can she team up with a guy from the Sandhills of Nebraska, working cattle and sleeping in a bunkhouse?” he said of presidential candidate Kamala Harris. “I tell my kids that story — they think it’s the most boring episode of ‘Yellowstone.’”
Rhode Island Democrats sought to raise $500,000 for the Harris-Walz campaign’s efforts in swing states and exceeded expectations, said Rhode Island Democratic National Committeeman Joe Paolino Jr. He declined to confirm a total amount raised.
“Everybody enjoyed it — it was a lot of new faces,” Paolino said in an interview after the fundraiser. “People have just been energized that there’s a new team running.”
Liz Beretta-Perik, chairwoman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, did not respond to Rhode Island Current’s multiple requests to confirm the fundraising total.
Walz’s Newport appearance comes as the Minnesota governor continues his first solo fundraising tour since Harris selected him as her running mate on Aug. 6. The tour began in Los Angeles Tuesday and moved to Denver and Boston Wednesday. Walz was scheduled to appear at a 5:30 p.m. fundraising in Southampton, New York.
Members of the press were restricted to a balcony separate from guests attending the fundraiser. No photos or video of the speech were permitted.
The motorcade also passed Andrea Restrepo of Newport, who stood alone waving a bright blue Trump flag on one corner of the intersection of Bellevue and Narragansett avenues. Some cars honked as they passed her by.
Before taking the podium, Walz was introduced by several key Rhode Island Democrats including state Party Chairwoman Liz Beretta-Perik, all four congressional delegates, and Gov. Dan McKee.
“I believe in the power of a good team working together,” said McKee, who often uses his background as a basketball coach in his public remarks.
Walz also made sure to bring up his coaching background as he took a quick jab at the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 — a conservative blueprint for a possible second Donald Trump administration. Democrats have sought to directly tie the plan to Trump, who has repeatedly denied knowing about Project 2025.
“I coached football long enough to know if you’re going to take up the time to draw up a play, you’re going to be using it,” Walz said. “But the good news is that he’s not going to get the opportunity.”
During his remarks, Walz accused Trump and his running mate U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio of “rooting for failure.”
“Their whole thing is to instill fear in people — fear and pessimism,” Walz said.
The Democratic campaign is run on joy, happiness, and unity, he added.
“I think it bothers them a lot, because Vice President Harris is smiling and she is bringing the joy,” Walz said.
He also continued to call out Trump and Vance as “weird” and pushed back against the GOP’s portrayal that Democrats’ policies are seen as extreme.
“Who’s asking to raise the price of insulin? Who’s asking to take away women’s reproductive rights?” he said. “Things really work best in communities when you mind your own damn business.”
Democrats may have some positive momentum, but Walz acknowledged a victory in November is not guaranteed.
“They are not going to step away from this because power is a pretty hard thing to give up,” Walz said about Trump’s campaign.
After Walz finished his remarks he was played off by Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run.”
‘He couldn’t have been nicer’
Cheers from guests inside Ochre Court could be heard on the sweltering sidewalk on Ochre Point Avenue during the event. Police closed off the street during the event and parking was off limits on Narragansett Avene at the Cliff Walk.
After the fundraiser ended, people leaving described positive vibes and energy in the crowd as well as Walz’s folksy charm.
“He couldn’t have been nicer, more genuine, more folksy and real but also very clearly like up for a fight,” U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse told Rhode Island Current after the fundraiser. “He knows this is not going to be easy, and he knows that those creepy billionaires behind the Republican Party are going to throw every kind of mud and he gave off this great, joyful energy of being ready for it. And going to win.”
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said he chatted briefly with Walz before Walz took the podium.
“He really cares about this country,” Shekarchi said in a sidewalk interview after the event ended. “He inspired a lot of people. it was very fresh, it was authentic, it was different. He had a relatable message to a lot of people, and it energized the crowd tremendously.”
Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@rhodeislandcurrent.com. Follow Rhode Island Current on Facebook and X.