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    • From Trump to Biden, politicians who visited Wilmington, North Carolina
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    From Trump to Biden, politicians who visited Wilmington, North Carolina

    Umito Posted on

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    This year has proven to be a particularly active political season for Wilmington, with many high-level officials hosting events and delivering remarks at various venues.

    Since May, nine high-profile political figures have stopped in Wilmington. Here’s a closer look at each visit and the key issues they brought to the forefront.

    President Joe Biden

    President Joe Biden visited Wilmington in Maydelivering a speech focused on clean water, infrastructure and jobs in the port city.

    “Mayor (Bill) Saffo, thank you for the passport to your city,” Biden said as he took the stage at the Wilmington Convention Center. “By the way, you’re not the only Wilmington in America,” he added, referring to his home state of Delaware.

    The presidential visit focused primarily on announcing a $3 billion federal investment to replace lead pipes running across the United States. With approximately nine million lead service lines across the country, approximately 300,000 of those lines remain in North Carolina.

    “There is no safe level of exposure. None,” Biden said. “Until the United States of America fixes this problem, how can we say that we are (a) first nation in the world?”

    Read more about President Biden’s visit: In Wilmington speech, Biden emphasizes access to clean water with new federal funding

    First Lady Jill Biden

    About two months after President Biden made a stopover in the port city, first lady Jill Biden gave a speech at Hi-Wire Brewing.

    In launching the Veterans and Military Families Agenda for Biden-Harris, the first lady highlighted successful legislative and economic initiatives focused on veterans care under the Biden-Harris administration. Biden highlighted her husband’s signing of the PACT Act, which provides benefits to millions of veterans affected by toxic exposures.

    “President Biden wakes up every morning ready to work for you,” the first lady said, emphasizing her husband’s status as a proud military father and commander in chief.

    Senior Advisor to President Tom Perez

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    White House official Tom Perez talks about funding the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

    White House official Tom Perez visited the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge on Friday to celebrate a major federal financial investment.

    Tom Perez, senior advisor to President Joe Biden and director of intergovernmental affairs, spoke at the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in early September, alongside Mayor Bill Saffo and other Wilmington officials.

    “This project is going to happen, we have committed $242 million to replace this bridge,” Perez said, noting federal funding dedicated to the project. The funds will cover about half of the total replacement cost estimated at $485 million.

    Perez described the funding as a “generational investment,” emphasizing that the design features of the replacement bridge will need to ensure lasting functionality and efficiency for decades.

    As part of his visit to Wilmington, Perez also stopped at several other projects located in the port city, including Cinespace Studios, the Wilmington branch of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina , Starway Village and Lakeside Reserve.

    Read more about Perez’s visit to Wilmington: White House official visits Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to tout ‘generational investment’

    Donald Trump, former president and Republican presidential candidate

    Donald Trump, former president and current Republican presidential candidate held a rally at the Aero Center in Wilmington in Septemberdelivering remarks focused on immigration and the economy. As part of his speech, Trump proposed no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on Social Security benefits.

    “We’re going to save you,” Trump said. “We did it once and we’re going to do it again.”

    Trump was briefly joined on stage by two of his grandchildren, Carolina and Luke, the children of Eric and Lara Trump. A few other Republican politicians spoke before Trump’s arrival, including U.S. Congressman David Rouzer.

    Second gentleman Doug Emhoff

    Just four days after Trump held a rally in the port city, second gentleman Doug Emhoff visited Wilmington’s Casa Blanca campaigning for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris.

    Emhoff presented Harris’ plan to create an “opportunity economy”, which included three major steps: reducing the costs of everyday goods, investing in American innovation and entrepreneurship, and positioning the United States to become a global leader in “industries of the future,” including technological advancement and manufacturing.

    “If we win Wilmington and North Carolina, you will call me first gentleman the next time I come here,” Emhoff said before leaving the scene.

    Other state and local officials present at Emhoff’s visit included Democratic candidate for North Carolina Senate District 7 Dr. David Hill, North Carolina Rep. Deb Butler, and still others.

    Read more about Emhoff’s visit to Wilmington: In Wilmington, the second gentleman outlines a plan for a Kamala Harris presidency

    Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance

    About a month after his running mate held a rally at the same location in Ohio. Senator JD Vance arrived in the port city to deliver remarks also focused on the border and the economy.

    Referring to “Donald Trump’s simple plan,” Vance said the Republican presidential nominee would “restore a golden age of prosperity to this country” by cutting taxes on American workers and reducing regulations “that make more difficult to hire and create a business. “, reducing the cost of fuel and electricity and making it more difficult for companies to outsource jobs overseas.

    Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Hal Weatherman and Republican congressman and candidate for North Carolina attorney general Dan Bishop also spoke at the Aero Center rally.

    Former President Bill Clinton

    In October, former President Bill Clinton pledged support to Harris-Walz campaign at Prost Biergarten in downtown Wilmington.

    Clinton said Harris had “practical solutions,” addressing the Democratic presidential nominee’s plans for affordable health care and foreign policy. The former president described Harris as the only presidential candidate who cares about democracy and respecting American freedoms.

    Joined by Mayor Saffo and Rep. Butler, Clinton’s message centered on calling on North Carolinians to exercise their right to vote in the general election.

    Neera Tanden, American domestic policy advisor

    Celebrating the success of federal partnerships and crime prevention in the port city, Neera Tanden, the US domestic policy advisor, visited the Haynes/Lacewell Police and Fire Training Center in the Creekwood neighborhood of Wilmington.

    As part of his October visit, Tanden said “Wilmington has seen a dramatic reduction in violent crime (and) murder.”

    According to the police department’s senior data analyst, Wilmington saw violent crime decrease by about 20% between 2019 and 2023, with homicides down 41% from their 2020 peak.

    “I’m just impressed with what Wilmington is doing. I’ll bring it back to the White House so we can get the word out here about effective strategies to ensure we can reduce crime like Wilmington does in other parts of the country.” Tanden said.

    Tim Walz, Democratic vice presidential candidate

    Closing out a busy political season in Port City, Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a rally at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on October 24.

    Remarks delivered by Walz focused on key election issues, including reproductive rights, the economy and education.

    “We believe in this country; we believe in the promise. We believe in our neighbors,” Walz said. “We just have to go out there and fight for it.”

    The Democratic vice presidential nominee was joined by singer and guitarist James Taylorwho briefly addressed the crowd before delivering a performance. Several North Carolina officials, including Gov. Roy Cooper, gave speeches.

    Umito
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