12 Photos From Vice President Kamala Harris' Campaign in Kalamazoo County

PORTAGE, MI –– Vice President Kamala Harris made a campaign stop at the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum in Kalamazoo County on Wednesday, July 17.

The Biden-Harris administration visit was the first since the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on July 15.

Harris arrived on stage around 2:20 p.m. Other speakers included Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, former Trump national security official Olivia Troye and Amanda Stratton, a Michigan mother and former Republican voter.

Stabenow denounced Trump’s new running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, calling him a Trump “clone.”

Each speaker celebrated Democrats in Michigan and across the country, emphasizing the need for Michigan to stay blue in the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 5.

Harris opened her visit by acknowledging the assassination attempt on the former president and the lives lost.

“While our country’s history has been marked by political violence, violence is never acceptable,” Harris said, drawing applause. “There can be no ambiguity about that.”

Harris denounced political violence before walking to a row of chairs on stage and joining a panel discussion on issues surrounding the election.

She answered questions from Troye and Stratton, some specific to Michigan and others broader in scope.

The crowd, made up of more than 200 Democrats from around Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, cheered as topics such as reproductive rights were discussed. The event was not open to the public, despite earlier campaign messaging that it would be.

Harris also took the time to draw a contrast between herself and Vance.

Related: Kamala Harris draws distinction with Trump’s new VP pick during Michigan visit

This is Harris’ fourth visit to Michigan this year, following Biden’s July 12 rally in Detroit.

Former President Trump will make a campaign stop in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 20 — his first rally since accepting the Republican nomination this week at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Related: Trump to travel to Michigan for first public rally since assassination attempt

Here are 12 remarkable photos from Harris’ visit.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Cheryl Roberts, Janet Caldwell and Earlie Eason, all of Battle Creek, wait for Vice President Kamala Harris at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Secret Service personnel screen attendees at the gates of the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller addresses a crowd at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, before Vice President Kamala Harris enters.

The crowd watches Vice President Kamala Harris speak at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Vice President at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Vice President Kamala Harris joins a roundtable discussion at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Vice President Kamala Harris waves to the crowd at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow smiles as she looks out at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, before Vice President Kamala Harris arrives.

Vice President Kamala Harris addresses the crowd at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

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