Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz stopped by Duke University’s legendary basketball arena on Thursday as he campaigned for votes in swing-state North Carolina, but the move picked sides in a fierce rivalry that splits the state.
The Democrat marveled over the vibes at Cameroon Indoor in Durham as he greeted men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer.
“It really does have a high school gym feel, that’s great,” Mr. Walz, a former high school football coach and running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris, says in a video posted on X.
“We’re showing the proper reverence, ’cause it’s amazing,” the governor told Mr. Scheyer.
Pretty darn cool getting to stop by Cameron Indoor. pic.twitter.com/JBr5uAXbdm
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) October 24, 2024
Visiting Duke University caters to a swath of North Carolina voters but it’s theoretically risky — the University of North Carolina Tarheels, in nearby Chapel Hill, despise Duke.
Still, at least one commenter on Mr. Walz’s post — a self-professed UNC fan — said it was “pretty cool” for the governor to visit.
On the court, Mr. Walz asked the coach what it was like to walk out on the floor.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Mr. Scheyer said.
Mr. Walz wished Mr. Scheyer the “best of luck” in the coming season.
A win in North Carolina would be a huge boost to the Harris-Walz campaign, which faces a tight race against former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.
North Carolina will award 16 electoral votes. Democrats haven’t won the state in a presidential cycle since Barack Obama did it in 2008, though Ms. Harris is within striking distance this cycle.
A win in the Tarheel State would make it easier for Ms. Harris to cut a path to victory if she loses one of the northern “blue wall” battlegrounds.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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