RIPON, WI – (WISS & WGBW) – For the first time since accepting the Democratic Presidential nomination, Kamala Harris appeared in Northeast Wisconsin Thursday making a stop at Ripon College.

The rally had a bipartisan slant as Republicans put their support behind the Harris/Walz ticket. Former US Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a Republican, endorsed Harris. She said former President Donald Trump is a danger to the country.

“What January 6th shows us, is that there is not an ounce – not an ounce – of compassion in Donald Trump. He is petty. He is vindictive. And he is cruel. And Donald Trump is not fit to lead this good and great nation,” Cheney said.

Republican Liz Cheney endorses Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Ripon on Thursday. Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media

Harris agreed, saying Trump must never be in a position of power over the nation again.

“Listen! I believe that anyone who recklessly tramples on our Democratic values as Donald Trump has. Anyone who has actively and violently obstructed the will of the people and the peaceful transfer of power, as Donald Trump has. Anyone who has called for, I quote, “termination of the Constitution of the United States” as Donald Trump has, must never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States. Never again!” said Harris.

Harris ended her speech by reaching out across party lines to forge a new path forward for the country.

“If people across Wisconsin and our nation are willing to do what Liz (Cheney) is doing, to stand up for the rule of law, for our Democratic ideals and the Constitution of the United States, then together I know we can chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party but as Americans,” Harris said.

Rally goers

Several hundred people attended the rally traveling from all over Northeast Wisconsin. When asked why they supported the Harris/Walz ticket, the answers varied from trepidation to whole-hearted support to praise for her experience.

Emily Voigt of Appleton is a humanities teacher. She said history is being made. “She is running as a woman and a woman of color. That’s really important. I think that it shows women they can do anything they want to do…and it makes me very proud.”

Damian Islas of Houston Texas is a proud supporter of the Harris/Walz campaign. “I just had to see Kamala in person. Every time she stands in front of the American people, she only proves to just be the right candidate,” Islas said. “She’s the most qualified person in the last 50 years to even seek the presidency. And it makes it even better that she’s a woman of color! Thirty years of experience, a Juris Doctorate! Donald Trump can’t even spell Juris Doctorate. This woman is just the most qualified candidate that we’ve had in the last 50 years.”

TJ Hobbs of Oshkosh said Harris may not be the perfect candidate, but she has their support. “I’m here to support the Harris campaign, not because it’s the perfect campaign or the perfect candidate. It’s because I am sick of our citizens bleeding out in hospital parking lots when they should have access to abortion care,” Hobbs said.

Jackie Hanson of Madison was interested to hear policies from the Democratic nominee at Ripon College. “This is my alma mater,” Hanson said. “So, I am really excited to see her here at my alma mater. And I’m really excited to hear her policies.”

Alan Patterson came to the rally from Fond du Lac. “She’s (Kamala Harris) got the right stuff. I think in this day and age temperament and character are everything.”

Republican Ripon

The small city of Ripon, Wisconsin is known as the “Birthplace of the Republican Party.” In 1854 a group of men met a the Little White School House to stop the spread of slavery into the western territories. That meeting led to the creation of a new political party.

Ripon College is a private liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin. While the college was happy to host the campaign visit of the Harris/Walz campaign, it expressed its political neutrality in a Facebook post Thursday morning.

The post reads: “Ripon College believes it is important to foster political discourse, civic engagement and thoughtful and respectful exchange of ideas. As such, we were approached and have agreed to host a Harris for President Campaign event. While we all have our own personal political opinions, Ripon College does not endorse political candidates. These are unique opportunities afforded to our entire campus community and we can think of no better venue to host such a visit than an institution of higher education.”

This was the first visit to Northeast Wisconsin for Kamala Harris since accepting the Democratic nomination for president. This is her fifth visit to Wisconsin since July.

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