On Thursday, Oct. 17, Vice President Kamala Harris held a 3,000-attendee rally at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Recreational Eagle Center (REC). Guest speakers for the event featured Mayor Mitch Reynolds, billionaire Mark Cuban and UWL’s own Cisco Garcia.
Members of the community and university students were lined up outside the venue hours before the start time of 1:30 p.m. The excited crowd was split into sections, one of which was directed to sit on stage behind Vice President Harris for the duration of the rally.
Among these students were Jade Meuleners and Corvin Haake, both in their third year at UWL.
When asked what it means to them that Harris chose to stop at their university, Meuleners said, “It’s just an honor to have her here and it really means that she notices us and cares for us.”
Haake agreed, “I think it has significant impact for the people that might be a little bit on the fence.”
The crowd heard from the Mayor of La Crosse Mitch Reynolds. He spoke highly of Vice President Harris and her prospective plans if elected President.
“Vice President Kamala Harris has some big, big plans for a new way forward for our community, for communities just like us. She’s working to build an opportunity economy… one where Wisconsinites don’t just get by, we get ahead!” Mayor Reynolds said.
The crowd roared as guest speaker Mark Cuban took the stage next. Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a former ‘shark’ on ABC’s Shark Tank, advocated for small businesses during his time on stage. He criticized former President Donald Trump’s ideas for the economy and praised Harris for her commitment to assisting the entrepreneurs and small businesses that help drive the US economy.
Referring to Harris, Cuban remarked, “There is one candidate who has an amazing program for small businesses. There is one candidate who is trying to help every single entrepreneur make their ‘American Dream’ come true.”
Cisco Garcia, a second-year student and Student Association senator at UWL had the opportunity to introduce the presidential candidate to the stage.
Garcia is both a first-generation American and a first-generation college student, whose mother worked two jobs to support his family. Garcia proudly shared his intentions to vote for Kamala Harris because she understands his family’s struggles and the struggles of families across the country.
“Like me, she grew up with a working mom and she is also the child of immigrants who taught her to believe in the promise of America and now I’m standing here in front of all of you introducing the vice president of the United States. That is the ‘American Dream’ that Vice President Harris is fighting for,” Garcia said.
Just before 4 p.m., Vice President Harris entered the stage to the sounds of ‘Freedom’ by Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar and erupting applause from the REC audience. The last time Harris was in La Crosse was on April 22, 2024, to talk with local nursing home care workers at the Hmong Cultural and Community Center.
Harris addressed the crowd with excitement, “It is wonderful to be back in here at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse… Go Eagles!”
Harris then discussed her plans if elected and her criticisms of her opponent. Harris reminded the crowd of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the capital, labeling its legacy as a “terrible day of violence,” where 140 law enforcement officers were injured, some even passing away in the aftermath.
Harris referenced a recent town hall event in Florida where Trump called the attack on the Capital a “day of love.”
“The American people are exhausted with his gaslighting… we are ready to turn the page,” said Harris. To this statement, the crowd responded with chants of “We’re not going back!”
Harris then addressed citizen grievances about the status of the US economy and proposed what she calls an “opportunity economy” as the solution. In this type of economy, building wealth, starting a business and owning a home would theoretically be made more accessible to the American people. Part of this plan would involve down payment assistance for first-time home buyers at a value of $25,000.
The vice president said, “Under my plan, and I know this is a big deal for the young people here, we will bring down the cost of housing because there was a time that generations of Americans could count on the ‘American Dream’, but for far too many these days, it is just out of reach.”
Just as Harris predicted, this discussion topic was well anticipated by attendees. Gavin Hanke, a fourth-year at UWL, told the Racquet Press that he was most excited to hear about plans to improve the economy.
“As a senior, I’m going off into being my own adult and buying a home. I really wanna see those housing prices go down and make it more affordable for families,” Hanke said.
Next, Harris discussed “Project2025”, an extreme right-wing leadership proposal created by the Heritage Foundation, with many key contributors being Trump’s former staff. Although Trump has repeatedly claimed he was not involved in drafting the document, its ideas and potential impacts could still come to fruition if the Republican Party regains control of Congress.
Regarding “Project2025”, Harris said, “It’s a detailed and dangerous blueprint for what he will do if he is elected president… Donald Trump is an unserious man and the consequences of him ever getting his foot back in the Oval Office are brutally serious.”
These consequences, she explained, would include tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, cuts on social security and Medicare, families potentially spending $4,000 more per year and the end of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA, enacted back in 2010, aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Americans.
Reproductive rights are among the pillars of values Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have held throughout their campaign.
While Harris reminded the audience that the overturning of Roe v. Wade was made possible by Trump’s Supreme Court nominations during his presidency, a group of audience members began to heckle Harris’ remarks. The group was swiftly escorted out of the rally.
“Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally. No, I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street,” Harris said in response.
Harris reiterated her support for abortion rights; “It is my pledge to you that when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly, proudly sign it into law.” Her words resonated with the predominantly pro-choice audience.
Amelia Fortner, UWL fourth-year and Student Association senator spoke to The Racquet Press about what issues are most important to her in the upcoming election.
“Definitely the right to choose. I’m a woman, so it’s more important to me,” said Fortner.
Harris wrapped up the event by encouraging Wisconsinites to register and to vote in the Presidential election on, or before, Nov. 5. Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 22, and ends Nov. 1.
“Our vote is our voice and your voice is your power. So, Wisconsin, today I then ask you, are you ready to make your voices heard?” asked Harris. “When we fight we win. God bless you and god bless the United States of America.”
Chair of the La Crosse County Democratic Party, William Garcia, echoed the importance of voting, especially for La Crosse residents. In the 2020 Presidential election, Joe Biden won in Wisconsin by 20,000 votes, but he won La Crosse County by 10,000 votes, Garcia explained.
He continued, “La Crosse County provided the margin of error– the margin of effort in [the 2020] election. If we turn out like we did… if we win La Crosse County by 10,000 [votes], or more, we will once again put Kamala Harris in the White House.”
For more information on voting as a UWL student, click here.
