MACON, Ga. — Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz spoke to campaign staffers in Macon on Tuesday morning, kicking off a swing state tour hitting Georgia and North Carolina.
"We know it is going to be a close race," Walz told campaign volunteers. "It's going to come down to a few states — and Georgia is probably going to be at the center of it."
Walz, who landed in Macon at Middle Georgia Regional Airport at around 9:40 p.m. on Monday, drove from Hotel 45 to the field office on Georgia Avenue Tuesday morning.
During the speech, Walz — the governor of Minnesota — attempted to energize volunteers with his signature saying "we'll sleep when we're dead" and he told volunteers to use "all gas no breaks" with election day being fewer than 50 days away.
"You are the people in this room who can very likely make a difference in putting Kamala Harris as Madam President," Walz said.
Speaking behind a sign reading "Macon, Georgia loves Harris Walz," Walz emphasized issues such as the peaceful transition of power, reproductive rights and fighting for the middle class.
"Winning the election is a means to an end," Walz said. "The end is a more inclusive and fair society where everyone belongs. And we're working hard for people who we know our policies will improve their lives whether they vote for us or not. That's the power of politics."
Just a few weeks after the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School left two teachers and two students dead, Walz emphasized the need to fight gun violence.
"It's not just a fact of life, people," Walz said. "And as Donald Trump would know, this violence across the country has got to end. Gun violence has got to end. We need a leader willing to take that on in every way."
After the speech, Walz then spoke to 13WMAZ's Frank Malloy in an exclusive one-on-one interview about the issues affecting Central Georgians.
Walz then departed from the campaign office to the historic H&H Soul Food for breakfast. While there, Walz ordered a Midnight Rider biscuit sandwich and mingled with voters.
But after that, it is unclear what is next for Walz during his time in Macon.
However, Walz is set to depart from Middle Georgia Regional Airport and head up to Atlanta, where he is set to land at Hartsfield Jackson at 12:45 p.m. There, the Harris campaign says he'll "participate in political events."
He'll end the day in North Carolina where he is scheduled to hold a campaign rally in Asheville, N.C.
Just one day earlier, Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance was in Cobb County for a republican fundraiser on Monday night, which included an appearance with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Outside Hotel 45, protesters supporting Trump and Vance rallied. Many of those supporters highlighted the economy and the impact of inflation.