MILWAUKEE — Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Milwaukee on Thursday to meet with Latino leaders and speak at a Democratic attorneys conference.
The White House said in a statement that the VP will first deliver remarks at the Democratic Attorneys General Association Conference at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.
The Associated Press reports from the press pool at the AG event that the vice president singled out Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and his fight to repeal the state's 1849 abortion ban. “Josh, our administration has your back," Harris said.
Harris branded those pushing for laws punishing women who have abortions and doctors who perform them as “extremist, so-called leaders," the AP reports.
The VP said those same people were pushing laws making it more difficult to vote and backing “sham audits” into the 2020 presidential election, according to the AP.
“Today, our nation faces many threats to our rights and to our freedoms and we must stand united to uphold the sacred oath we have each taken to protect the people of our nation, to support and defend these foundational principles that are now at stake," Harris said.
.@VP Kamala Harris, in Milwaukee speech to Democratic Attorneys General Association, singles out Wisconsin's @JoshKaulWI and his fight to repeal the state's 1849 abortion ban:
— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) September 22, 2022
“Josh, our administration has your back," Harris said to applause.
Harris then held a conversation with local Latino leaders at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The vice president then returns to Washington, D.C., according to the White House schedule.
Leaders with the Republican Party of Wisconsin also held a press conference around 10:30 a.m. to respond to VP Harris' visit. “If Kamala Harris, Mandela Barnes, Tony Evers, and Josh Kaul spent as much time fixing their policies that brought Wisconsinites rising taxes, historic inflation, and rampant crime as they did talking about their failed agenda, Wisconsin voters might be able to provide for their families and keep them safe," RNC spokesperson Rachel Reisner said in a statement.
Harris was in Milwaukee in January to advocate for the replacement of lead pipes, and in May 2021 where she toured the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and hosted a round table discussion on investing in infrastructure. Thursday's visit will be Harris' third time in Milwaukee since taking office.
President Joe Biden just visited Milwaukee for Labor Day celebrations and a campaign speech supporting Democratic candidates in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin elections on Nov. 8 are already shaping up to be close, according to the Marquette Law School Poll. Gov. Tony Evers is facing off against Republican challenger Tim Michels, while Sen. Ron Johnson is facing off against Democratic challenger Mandela Barnes.