BANGOR, Maine — Gwen Walz, the first lady of Minnesota governor and wife of vice-presidential nominee, Tim Walz, spent Friday campaigning in Bangor.
Walz spoke with voters, Democratic leaders, and kids about the goals of the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz campaign.
She made her first stop at the Briar Patch, a bookstore in Bangor, where she read a story.
Walz was joined by fellow Democrats Gov. Janet Mills and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree.
She read to local kids and spoke about the importance of education.
"When Kamala is the president and Tim is the vice president, we're going to protect things like making your own choice to read books," Walz said.
Kids in attendance enjoyed the story time and message.
"It was very cool, and I was so excited when I saw her," second-grader Grace James said.
"The message that she sent was really nice," sixth-grader Nate Hinrichs said. "She wants education to stay healthy."
Walz made her next stop at the Democratic campaign office in Bangor, advocating for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
"Both are grounded in the same values that Bangor was built on. Hard work, community service. I'm right, right? And looking out for our neighbors," Walz said.
Walz called this election the "most important" one of our lifetimes.
She said the Harris-Walz team, if elected, will work to give the middle class a fighting chance.
"They want to lower the cost of health care and housing and gas and groceries. We need that right?" Walz said.
Many Democratic leaders in attendance were invigorated by Walz’s visit to Bangor and the goals of the Harris-Walz campaign, particularly when it comes to education.
"As an involved school committee member and someone that really cares deeply about our education, to hear her stance as a former public educator and that of her husband’s, was really positive, I thought it was really inspiring," Katie Brydon, a Bangor school committee member, said.
Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, said having a strong educational system is very important to her.
"This is the first time in a long time that I've felt so much enthusiasm, that I've felt so much excitement around voting," Roeder said.
There are just over 50 days until the election. In Maine, most mail-in ballots are going out on Oct. 7.
NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to the Maine GOP for comment regarding Walz’s visit but has not heard back.