RALEIGH, N.C. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made his first stop in North Carolina on Thursday as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee at a private event in midtown Raleigh.
On Wednesday, WRAL News learned Walz would be the headliner at the invitation-only fundraiser for the Harris campaign. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper joined Walz at the event.
"It a privilege to be in politics," Walz said.
After Walz's plane landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport around 4:30 p.m., he grabbed a meal from Cook Out with Cooper.
"My team thought that was a photo opportunity shake," Walz said. "I ate the whole thing."
Before the event, Walz stopped at the state's Democratic Party headquarters and spoke with staffers phone banking at the headquarters. Walz said he believes the state is in play for Democrats during the 2024 elections.
"We expect to win here," Walz said. "I think we know, [it's] very difficult for a Republican candidate to win the White House if they can't win North Carolina. It's that simple."