‘Politics can be decent and inspiring,’ Tim Walz says in visit to Lancaster County

Democratic Vice Presidential pick Tim Walz’s visit to Lancaster County comes at a time when Democrats are cutting into traditional GOP margins in the area. 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz launched a two-day trip through Pennsylvania starting in Lancaster on Wednesday as part of a growing push by Democrats to win over local voters. 

Walz’s stop highlights the significant role the rural county will play in the upcoming presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. 

Democrats opened their first field office in the state in Lancaster city last March, and this past weekend, the Harris campaign opened their 50th field office in Ephrata, a half-hour north of Lancaster city. 

“We’re so excited at the Lancaster County Democrats to have Gov. Walz in Lancaster today,” Stella Sexton, Co-Chair of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, said in an interview. 

Since the 2000 election, Lancaster Democrats have been able to cut into the Republican Party’s margins. In 2000, the county went 66% in favor of George W. Bush, but by 2020, only 58% of the county voted for Trump. 

Democrats are hoping that campaigning in areas outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, like Lancaster, can push them over the top in November. 

“Democrats have been gaining major margins in Lancaster County over the last few cycles. Gov. Josh Shapiro almost won Lancaster two years ago. We had major gains in our judicial elections with turnout in Lancaster County last year,” Sexton said.

Walz greeted close to 50 volunteers with Amish whoopie pies at the Lancaster County Democratic Headquarters in Lancaster city, and joined them while they were phone banking. 

Walz opened his short remarks by acknowledging the school shooting that took place in Georgia earlier on Wednesday, calling it “tragic.”

“It’s a situation that’s all too common and our hearts are out there right now, but our work needs to prevent these in the future,” Walz said.

“We’re here first and foremost to say thank you,” Walz, who made the trip with his daughter Hope Walz, told the volunteers.

“The energy that you’re feeling in this room is across the country, whether it’s in Ohama, Nebraska or it was in Savannah, Georgia, last week, or it’s folks standing in 109 degree heat in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago.”

“All with the beautiful idea that you come together here because you love this country and the idea that politics can be joyful and politics can be forward looking and politics can be decent and inspiring,” Walz added. 

After giving brief remarks, Walz joined the dozens of volunteers at their different stations and helped them make phone calls to potential Harris supporters. 

Robin Goodson, President of the Board of Directors for the School District of Lancaster, explained that Walz’s visit was “full circle” for her.

“My daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability so when I see educators actually going into politics and policy changing, that is definitely something I look forward to, because without them, they’re making those changes and being a real life understanding of what is going on.  [Teachers] understand how education evolves all the time and how they can make a big difference.”