Tim Walz was a no-show on the Rural Americans for Harris video call Tuesday night, but he had a pretty good excuse. The governor of Minnesota was in Philadelphia with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who officially chose Walz for a running mate just that morning.
Walz sent Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to speak in his place.
Chris Jones, former Arkansas gubernatorial candidate and co-chair of Dirt Road Democrats, the organization hosting the call, emceed Tuesday’s video call and touted his own experiences growing up in rural Arkansas.
“I have five degrees, including a Ph.D. from M.I.T., and I worked at NASA, but my roots go on rural roads,” Jones said. “I grew up fighting grasshoppers, riding dirt bikes and eating honeysuckle in the South, in Arkansas.”
One surprise guest on the video was actress and philanthropist Jennifer Garner, who said what she heard Tuesday night gave her hope that Democrats might win the election.
“I’ve been listening with my hand on my heart,” Garner said, “just in love with everything and all of the people on this call, what rural America has to offer.”
Democrats have struggled to win over rural voters in Arkansas and elsewhere in recent election cycles. But Democratic Party of Arkansas Strategic Director Will Watson said he’s seen some progress, and described the effectiveness of grassroots campaigns in rural communities.
“The fact is, we have hope,” he said. “Let’s make sure we elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz this fall, and that we’re investing in Democrats at every level.”