NEWPORT – Vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's national fundraising blitz took him to Newport for an event at Ochre Court on Salve Regina University hosted by Rhode Island's Democratic political elite.
Harris, the sitting vice president, picked Walz as her running mate Aug. 6 and this week he embarked on his first national solo campaign. The tour began in Los Angeles Tuesday and moved to Denver Wednesday.
Walz takes in hundreds of thousands of dollars and delivers speech that fires up Rhode Island Democrats
Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz swept through the Newport mansion district Thursday firing up Rhode Island Democrats, dishing out zingers at Donald Trump and taking in hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Ocean State donor base.
Walz, the governor of Minnesota, spoke for 17 minutes at Salve Regina University's Ochre Court, delivering his now signature line that his GOP opponents are "weird" and describing their vision for the country as "dystopian."
"These guys are rooting for failure," Walz said. "It doesn't inspire people. And their one-trick pony of fear and 'the country is terrible,' and this whole dystopian vision of things -- that runs out when it runs into the face of American optimism."
By contrast, he described himself as a teacher and coach from the "sand hills" of Nebraska. And he described Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris as someone who had to work at McDonalds growing up before heading to law school.
"Can you picture that guy making a McFlurry?" he asked, presumably referring to Trump.
Surrounded by stained-glass windows, ornate woodwork and more than 300 Democratic donors at Salve Regina University's Ochre Court, Minnesota Gov. Walz left to cheers and Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run on his way to an evening fundraiser at Southampton, N.Y.
The message had the intended effect on Democratic partisans:
"The enthusiasm and I think our financial support is going to help in some battleground states, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Crowley said leaving the event. "And I think we will probably attract some volunteers to go work in some other states."
According to the Rhode Island Democratic Party, 325 people attended the $1,000 per-person fundraiser and the event raised roughly $650,000.
- Staff writer, Patrick Anderson
Walz leaves Newport, heads to Southampton for fundraiser with Gov. Gina Raimondo
Walz's motorcade was seen leaving Salve Regina University at around 2 p.m. and fundraiser attendees streamed out of Ochre Court soon after.
The campaign did not allow press photos or video from the event, but several guests spoke about the energy inside.
Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong was among those attending the event.“The energy was absolutely incredible,” he said afterwards. “This is somebody — he just talks like a normal person. And to hear that perspective coming through, and a message of unity and hope, is consistent with where we need to get back to as a country. It was a ton of fun.”As far as the logistics of hosting the event go, he said, “our police department does a phenomenal job working with the city manager.”“They’re very used to hosting large events like this, and dignitaries, so it’s good to have another event under our belt here, and put on a good show for the country.”
Another attendee, Providence Councilman John Goncalves, said the event felt “vibrant” and there was high excitement for the Harris-Walz ticket.“There’s just so much energy,” he said. “And we saw that today.”
From Newport, Walz was heading to Southampton, New York, for a separate fundraiser, this one featuring a performance by band Mumford & Sons. Former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo will also reportedly be in attendance.
-Staff writer Antonia Farzan
Reports from inside the fundraiser begin
The event is being held at Ochre Court, a Gilded Age mansion overlooking Newport's famed Cliff Walk and the Atlantic Ocean. It serves as Salve Regina's administrative offices and an event space.
While Hurricane Ernesto is moving up the coast offshore and expected to send high seas to this area over the weekend, skies are clear with a light southerly breeze and waves of a foot or two today.
Walz is expected at the reception at 1:30 pm. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is also expected to speak
- Staff writer, Patrick Anderson
Why is a Catholic university hosting the Democratic Party's front runners?
Salve Regina University has responded to questions about why a school, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, would host a fundraiser for the vice presidential candidate on a presidential ticket that favors abortion rights.
Bottom line: The school said the Rhode Island Democratic Party Committee is the sole host of the event and, as an academic institution, Salve "fully supports freedom of speech as a cornerstone of democracy."
"As our mission calls us to do, we support productive and meaningful dialogue across our differences as we work toward a world that is more harmonious, just and merciful."
In its statement, the school also said: "Ochre Court at Salve Regina University was selected by the Rhode Island Democratic Committee based on availability for their selected date, time and anticipated capacity.
"We regularly rent facilities on campus for private events. The committee paid the standard rate for the space rental, worked with our University Events and Conference Services Office....and is the sole host of the event."
On its website, Salve describes itself as a Catholic, coeducational university founded by the Sisters of Mercy
- Salve Regina means "Hail Holy Queen"
- First class of 58 students welcomed in 1947
- Staff writer, Kathy Gregg
Walz arrives at Salve Regina, security measures include Coast Guard boats
Walz arrived at Salve Regina University at around 12:51 p.m., according to a Providence Journal photographer.
Security presence for the event included Homeland Security, ADT private security guards and two Coast Guard vessels posted offshore and visible from Cliff Walk.
Providence Journal reporter Patrick Anderson is at the event at Ochre Court and will report on Walz's remarks.
Walz arrives in Rhode Island, heading to Newport
A private plane carrying Walz arrive at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport a little after 11 a.m. and an entourage of vehicles left the airport to travel to Newport at around 12:12 p.m.
Tourists visiting the Cliff Walk encounter detour for Walz event
Ochre Court, the site of the Walz fundraiser, overlooks Cliff Walk. But tourists won’t be able to get near the event.
The portion of Cliff Walk between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Avenue has been closed since it collapsed in 2022, leading to a temporary detour along Ochre Point Avenue.
While that street is blocked off to most pedestrian traffic for the Walz event, there’s now a detour from the detour. Tourists exiting at Narragansett are being guided to walk through a different portion of Salve’s campus, following a footpath behind Miley Hall that has been roped off with yellow “No Parking” tape.
Protesters arrive outside Tim Walz fundraiser
Police have blocked off Ochre Point Avenue to everyone but Salve Regina University, but a few small demonstrations are taking place outside that perimeter.
At the corner of Narragansett and Annandale Avenues, a group of protesters are waving Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. On the corner of Bellevue and Narragansett Avenue, one woman is waving a Trump 2024 flag.
- Staff writer, Antonia Farzan
- Staff writer, Antonia Farzan
Fundraiser has already brought in $500K in donations
Former Providence Mayor and Rhode Island Democratic National Committeeman Joseph Paolino confirmed the Walz fundraiser had elicited $500,000 for the Harris-Walz ticket as of late last night.
"I am sure there will be a lot more today," said Paolino. "They have pledges of $650,000. I have never seen an event like this before."
Asked how he explains this deluge of pledges and contributions, Paolino quipped: "Donald Trump. He's a great fundraiser for the Democrats."
The Wednesday night fundraiser in Boston brought in more than $1.2 million for the Harris-Walz ticket, according to reporting by WBUR.
- Staff writer, Kathy Gregg
Road closures and heavy police presence in Newport brings traffic to a crawl in anticipation of Vice President candidate Tim Walz's visit
Tim Walz chose a perfect day to be in Newport, not that he’ll get much chance to really enjoy it. It’s sunny and 76 degrees, fairly hazy but not a cloud in the sky.Practically every Newport police car seems to be out on the roads, and traffic on Bellevue Avenue is even slower than usual. Several streets near the event, including Leroy Avenue, Webster Street and Lawrence Street, have been blocked off to everything but local traffic by the Rhode Island State Police.
- Staff writer, Antonia Farzan
Police blocking area around Salve Regina University
A police presence and roadblocks are appearing on the streets in the area around Salve Regina University.
Providence Journal and Newport Daily News reporter Savana Dunning reports police redirecting cars at the intersection of Annandale Road and Parker Avenue and additional locations near the university.
Newport police and fire department personnel, along with Rhode Island State Police troopers are also blocking off the entrance to the Cliff Walk at Narragansett Avenue.
The roadblocks are resulting in traffic backups along Bellevue Avenue.
RI GOP reacts to Walz visit
The state Republican Party took the opportunity to hit out at Democrats, accusing them of "feigning loyalty," and "bending their knee" to Walz "as if he's a role model for our state."
In a press release, GOP Chairman Joe Powers attacked Walz's handling of Minnesota's budget and the "George Floyd riots," as well as what he described as a 22% surge in crime "under his watch."
Powers also took a swing at Walz's military record, saying that he has "been caught lying about his military record," though he did not specify in the release what those lies were.
When is Walz leaving Rhode Island for the Hamptons?
After the Newport event, Walz is scheduled to travel to Long Island for a fundraiser in Southampton, New York, on Thursday evening.
Rock band Mumford & Sons is slated to perform at the Hamptons fundraiser, according to Bloomberg, which is also reporting that Commerce Secretary and former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo will be a featured guest at another Southampton fundraiser later this month.
The host committee for the Newport fundraiser is: Gov. Dan McKee, Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse,Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, Democratic National Committeeman Joseph Paolino, Jr., Art Solomon, Donato A. Bianco, Jr., Marc Crisafulli, Patrick Crowley, Helena Foulkes, Armand Sabitoni, Michael Sabitoni, Don Sweitzer and state party Chairwoman Liz Beretta-Perik, according to a copy of invitations to the event.
