Cincinnati Democrats welcome Tim Walz for fundraising event, say he's the 'real deal'

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Local Democrats turned out in force Saturday to see Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, who headlined a campaign fundraising event for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

The Cincinnati Enquirer, a USA TODAY Network partner, spotted a who's who of the city's politicos entering the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, where the event was held. Walz, currently Minnesota's governor, spent at least an hour inside the event Saturday afternoon.

"Ohio is important," said Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, who helped plan the event. "We have to turn out the vote. Just because we're not a swing state, doesn't mean our vote doesn't matter."

"Gov. Tim Walz in person is the real deal," added Cincinnati City Council member Seth Walsh. "Who you see on TV is who we got in person. His authenticity and commitment to improving our country blew me away. The room was energized but only got more as he spoke. That's because he's speaking about real problems and solutions to those problems that face us all."

Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton – who served during the pandemic and, as she put it, is "strongly considering" running for Ohio governor in 2026 − was seen leaving the event with former Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper, who is fresh off turning his book about Project 2025 into a podcast.

Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team.

Walz delivered a "moving message" about values the Democratic Party holds dear, Acton said, adding: "People are tired of the hate."

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened on the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati in 2004, a museum dedicated to the stories of the Underground Railroad. Funk legend Bootsy Collins warmed up the crowd with his music.

A group of protestors, Students for Justice in Palestine University of Cincinnati chapter, shared their message outside the event, although they never saw Walz, who entered the building from an underground parking garage. They called for an arms embargo.

Also at the fundraiser was actor, director and activist Mario Van Peebles, who directed and acted in the cult classic "New Jack City" and portrayed political Icon Malcolm X in the movie "ALI." Van Peebles Mario is currently starring and directing a film on Harry and Harriet Moore, who were known as the Bonnie and Clyde of voting rights, but took the day off filming in Toronto to come to Cincinnati.

"We are at an inflection point," Van Peebles said. "Our daughters are in danger as their rights are being taken away." He is a father of three daughters and said he felt called to attend events in person to support the Democratic ticket.

After his stop in Cincinnati, Walz left for Cleveland where he was set to headline another fundraising event.

Vice President Kamlaa Harris visited North Carolina on Saturday to survey the impact of Tropical Storm Helene and get a briefing about recovery efforts.

Cincinnati-area Democrats were hoping to bring Harris to the region, with Lemon Kearney even helping raise at least $1 million to make that happen, she told USA TODAY Network last week. However, with only 30 days until the election, Cincinnati got Walz instead.

Harris has focused campaigning in swing states, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Many no longer consider Ohio a swing state after former President Donald Trump won it in 2016 and 2020 by eight percentage points.

The USA TODAY Network sought permission from the Harris/Walz campaign to cover the private Cincinnati event, but was denied.

"Thanks for reaching out," said Emily Soong, who responded to the request made to Monica Medvedec, the Midwest Finance Director for the Harris Victory Fund. "For your planning purposes, the governor will not have any open press events tomorrow. His engagements will be covered by his travel pool for editorial coverage only."

The event was essentially held in Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance's backyard. Vance was raised in Middletown, Ohio, but now lives in the Cincinnati neighborhood of East Walnut Hills, Ohio.

Jared Kamrass, a Democratic strategist with Washington D.C.-based Technicolor Political, said Cincinnati is an important stronghold nationally for Democrats.

"While Ohio is becoming less so, Cincinnati is more relevant on the national stage for Democrats," Kamrass said. "In addition to being a can't-miss stop on the fundraising circuit, we were one of only two areas to defeat a Republican incumbent member of congress in 2022 (Landsman) and Greater Cincinnati will play a greater role in Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown's path to victory than it ever has."

Brown is on the ballot this November running for reelection against Republican candidate Bernie Moreno. Early voting in Ohio starts Oct. 8.

Enquirer reporter Scott Wartman contributed to this report.