Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff joined former Mississippi gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley at The Jefferson Oxford on Friday, Sept. 13 in an effort to raise money for the Harris Victory Fund.

This appearance is among one of Emhoff’s stops on the Harris-Walz campaign’s New Way Forward Tour.

“We’re moving forward,” Emhoff said. “They want to keep us in the past, and you know our slogan: ‘We’re not going back.’”

Emhoff, speaking to a group of approximately 40 guests, highlighted Harris’ stance on the economy — an issue that polls show is a top concern for voters.

“She’s pro-capitalist, pro-growth, pro-innovation, pro-business and also pro-worker because you need to be all of those things to have a strong economy,” Emhoff said. 

Emhoff also discussed specific policies such as infrastructure investments, housing initiatives and small business support.

“She’s a very forward thinker. She knows we need to continue to move forward with innovation and technology, so we can still compete and lead as we move forward,” Emhoff said. “She has specific plans to help everyday people in their lives. She’s talked about those at the debate; she calls it an ‘opportunity economy.’”

The Harris-Walz ticket, if elected, would be building off of work done under the current Biden-Harris administration, Emhoff said.

“What (Harris is) going to do is continue and expand on the success of the Biden-Harris administration, which has made generational investments in infrastructure,” Emhoff said. “As second gentleman, I can see the impact of the investments, new bridges, roads, tunnels, broadband, airports – you name it.”

Emhoff also discussed Harris’ performance against former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In an anecdote about a blind date with Harris, Emhoff described Harris as a “joyful warrior.”  

“Donald Trump found out the warrior part. He’s going to continue to find out that warrior part as we get through this election, and this toughness — this lack of fear that she has — is no accident,” Emhoff said. “It’s based on how she was brought up.”

Emhoff encouraged attendees to continue to support the campaign leading up to election day. 

“Let’s support her. Let’s get this done. I’m not going to sleep until Nov. 6,” Emhoff said. “We’re going to spend each and every day until Election Day running as fast and hard as we can with focus and determination and discipline but also with the love of this country.” 

Presley echoed this sentiment and thanked the campaign for its stop in Oxford.

“It’s a campaign that encompasses everybody in all 50 states across this country — those who care about the issues that are on the ballot,” Presley said. “I know us as Mississippians are so thankful that the Harris-Walz campaign took time to step into Mississippi.”