Kamala Harris Breaks From Debate Prep In Pittsburgh To Make Campaign Stop

Vice President Kamala Harris makes a campaign stop Saturday at Penzeys Spices on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

By Ryan Deto

TribLive

Sept. 7, 2024 – After spending several days in Pittsburgh this week, Vice President Kamala Harris ventured out Saturday afternoon for a quick campaign stop in the Strip District. She was greeted by emotional supporters.

Harris departed the Omni William Penn Hotel in Downtown around 1 p.m. Security was high around and inside the historic hotel. Secret Service closed off a block of William Penn Place to traffic in front of the Omni, and guests had to pass through a metal detector in the lobby.

The vice president traveled just up the road into the city’s Strip District, making a stop at Penzeys Spices on Penn Avenue.

Upon entering, a woman became overwhelmed when looking at Harris and started to cry. The woman told the vice president, “I appreciate you, just so you should know.”

Harris embraced her.

Vice President Kamala Harris shares a hug with a woman overcome with emotion during a campaign stop Saturday at Penzeys Spices on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

“We are gonna be fine, we are gonna be fine,” Harris told her. “We are all in this together.”

Harris then greeted other customers in the spice shop and posed for pictures.

One girl Harris spoke to, named Charlotte, said she is from Freeport and attends school in the Freeport Area School District. The girl asked for a hug. Harris posed for photos with the girl and her entire family — including her father, a seventh grade geography teacher.

Harris thanked him for being a teacher.

“We are counting on your leadership, OK?” Harris told Charlotte, who nodded in approval. “Really I am serious, I am really counting on you.

“Go Yellowjackets,” Harris said, referencing Freeport’s mascot, as she high-fived Charlotte.

Harris then met with some other customers briefly and discussed cooking with a Penzeys staffer and picked out a few spices.

Shortly after, Harris fielded some questions from the press, first about the endorsement from former Vice President Dick Cheney.