NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Plenty of Virginia Democrats, including Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, headed to Newport News for Congressman Bobby Scott’s Annual Labor Day Cookout on Monday afternoon.
A Harris/Walz spokesperson said more than 1,300 people attended the annual event. The cookout has been held almost every year since 1977, and for Democrats, it has become known as the unofficial start of the final stretch of the political campaign ahead of the November elections.
As people enjoyed live entertainment and tons of food, Scott highlighted how this presidential election cycle could negatively impact labor unions.
“We’re celebrating labor, 40-hour workweek, overtime, child labor, and a safe workplace all are at risk for in this election,” the Virginia 3rd District Congressman said.
The president of the VA AFL CIO, Doris Crouse-Mays, who became the first woman to hold executive office in the union, reminded the crowd how far Labor unions have come in the United States.
“Today, we celebrate our achievements and reaffirm our commitment to the ongoing fight for justice in our workplaces,” she said.
US Senator Tim Kaine and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also took the stage. He highlighted Kamala Harris’ support for Labor Unions, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to saving union pensions and the importance of voting.
“Our democracy is worth saving, and that’s why [we] got to elect Kamala and Tim,” declared Emhoff.
While many people showed up and supported the event, Congressman Scott said he hopes people will go out and vote on Election Day.
“The energy is great. We had great energy at the Democratic convention. Great energy today, and the challenge, of course, is to channel that energy into votes,” said Scott.
While Emhoff campaigned in Newport News on Labor Day, his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigned in Detroit and Pittsburgh, while Governor Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen Walz, campaigned in Milwaukee.