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Tim Walz entered the Big House for the Michigan-Minnesota game

Tim Walz entered the Big House for the Michigan-Minnesota game

ANN ARBOR, MI – It may have been raining, but that didn’t stop Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz from coming to the Big House to watch the Michigan Wolverines take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The game began at noon on Saturday, September 28, but Vice President Kamala Harris’ vice president made sure to speak with members of both teams before competing for college football’s oldest trophy, the Little Brown Jug.

Walz wore a camouflage hat and a blue Harris Walz jacket as he took photos with some Minnesota cheerleaders as well as head coach PJ Fleck.

He even made sure Minnesota’s mascot, Goldy Gopher, got plenty of high fives and recognition.

This is the governor’s second solo trip to Michigan since joining the Harris-Walz ticket.

He was most recently in Michigan for several stops earlier this month Grand Rapids and at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz poses with Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck during Michigan vs. Minnesota football at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Josh Boland | MLive.com

Before the game, Walz also made sure to make his way into the maize and blue crowd to shake hands and take photos during the tailgate.

Walz arrived at Willow Run Airport shortly before 10 a.m. with his wife, Gwen.

The couple was greeted by a bus full of University of Michigan students with a sign on the side that read, “Put me in, coach.”

The crowd remained energetic, waving Harris Walz signs and American flags while dancing and swaying to live music.

Some in the crowd tried to stay dry wearing rain ponchos, while others accepted the conditions.

Songs like Abba’s “Mamma Mia,” Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” were played before the Democratic vice presidential nominee arrived.

When Walz landed, he joined the group and walked the line, taking photos and chatting with the students.

He did not comment publicly at this time.

Adam Lacasse was one of the students who welcomed Walz to Michigan. He is a senior at the University of Michigan and president of the Michigan College Democrats.

“Showing that they care about us and that they want to talk to us and see us is just the biggest thing (in this election),” he said. “I think so many, so many young people are frustrated with politics because they feel like they’re not being listened to or paid attention to, and that’s why I’m so happy with the Harris-Walz campaign because they’re actually taking their time “Come and talk to us and listen to us.”

Michigan vs. Minnesota

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz waves to the crowd during the Michigan vs. Minnesota football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Josh Boland | MLive.com

Other students like Audrey Clayton, co-president of Students for Harris at the University of Michigan, also shared their opinions on the Harris-Walz campaign.

She said she wanted to make it clear that everyone’s votes counted in this election.

“The Harris-Walz campaign is for the people – it’s for the young people,” she said. “Their policies are the kind of policies that will help us advance economically and protect our rights in the future.”

There were also a handful of leaders who greeted Walz at the airport, including U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor, along with his wife Eva Rosenwald and other local officials.

When asked what she thinks Harris needs to do to win, Dingell said she needs to be “real.”

“I think people need to get to know Kamala… She needs to be herself,” she said. “They need to go to the union halls and start talking to the workers. So when people see what they’re really fighting for and we create the contrast, then we win.”

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