In a move that underscores the political weight of Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are slated to visit Pittsburgh this coming Labor Day. The visit is part of a broader strategy by Democrats targeting crucial battleground states in the lead-up to the November election. According to Triblive, Harris, who has accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, will be coordinating with Biden for the first time since he exited the presidential race and endorsed her candidacy. Before joining the President in Pittsburgh, Harris is expected to attend engagements in Detroit, a pivotal city for the United Auto Workers labor union.
The significance of labor support is prominent in the Harris campaign, with several large unions, including the Pittsburgh-based United Steelworkers and Iron Workers International, rallying behind her. “The Biden-Harris administration is the most pro-union administration in history. Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, support for union membership has grown to its highest level in half a century,” the Harris campaign voiced in a press release, as reported by Triblive.
Harris's running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will not be joining her in Pittsburgh as he will be in Milwaukee. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff is slated to be present at an event in Newport News, Virginia. On the other hand, former President Donald J. Trump and his running mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, will give Pennsylvania its due regard, a state that stands as a fulcrum with its 19 Electoral College votes. Trump, having survived an assassination attempt in July, continues to demonstrate his intent to court the state's voters with scheduled appearances, including a recent rally in Johnstown just 90 minutes from Pittsburgh.
CBS News reported that the events on Labor Day, where Biden and Harris will highlight "the importance of American workers and unions to building a strong middle class and growing the economy," were warmly welcomed by labor leaders.
Both reports indicate that the Pittsburgh area has been a focal point for the Harris campaign, with visits including regional staples such as a Sheetz gas station and a Primanti Bros. restaurant, as well as a meeting with the Aliquippa High School football team. Biden's presence in Pittsburgh on Labor Day has been described as an unofficial tradition, tracing back to prior years, including a speech outside a United Steelworkers hall in West Mifflin in 2022.
