VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — First lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Virginia Beach for a campaign stop on Thursday, the same day her husband will face Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 election's first presidential debate.
The first lady greeted Virginia volunteers and supporters and gave a brief stump speech. The Biden campaign said Dr. Biden will next head to Atlanta ahead of Thursday night's debate, which CNN is hosting at 9 p.m.
The first lady's visit also came a day before Trump is slated to hold a campaign rally at the Historic Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake, where he will attempt to hammer the Democratic president on economic issues, particularly inflation.
Follow 13News Now's live coverage of Biden's visit to Hampton Roads below.
6:05 p.m. — Dr. Jill Biden slams Trump during Virginia Beach event: 'Wants to become a dictator on day one'
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden walked into a standing ovation at Virginia Beach's Democratic Coordinated Campaign Office for a campaign event Thursday afternoon.
The first lady greeted Virginia volunteers and supporters and gave a brief stump speech, which she started by thanking military families.
"I just have to thank you for your support and when you talk about the military community, you know the Bidens are a military family," the first lady told the crowd.
The first lady then made several pointed comments about Trump.
She specifically mentioned that the former president wants to become a "dictator on day one," and brought up past statements Trump allegedly made during his presidency.
2:30 p.m. — Dr. Biden touches upon military issues, praises supporters: 'You're supporting Joe, you're family'
Dr. Jill Biden began her remarks by praising military families and highlighting her late son Beau's service.
She also framed her husband's candidacy as a fight for freedom and democracy, while she argued that Trump "wants to be a dictator" and weaken America's institutions. She also said the election was a matter of character.
As the first lady concluded her remarks, the crowd broke out into chants of "We love Jill" and "Four more years."
2:20 p.m. — Dr. Biden arrives for campaign stop
The first lady arrived at Virginia Beach’s Democratic Coordinated Campaign Office to a jovial crowd. Catch her remarks in the live stream above.
2 p.m. — Local officials greet Dr. Biden
When first lady Biden touched down at Norfolk International Airport, she was greeted by Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, and Tyee Mallory, the Biden-Harris 2024 senior advisor for Virginia.
1:20 p.m. — Trump supporters gather
A group of about 20 demonstrators who support former President Donald Trump have gathered outside of the planned event, waving banners and chanting slogans.
12:50 p.m. — Supporters await Biden's arrival in Virginia Beach
13News Now's Emily Harrison is at Virginia Beach’s Democratic Coordinated Campaign Office, where supporters are awaiting the arrival of first lady Jill Biden.
12:50 p.m. — How Biden, Trump could approach campaigning in Virginia
Both candidates vying for the presidential seat hope to get Virginians on their side.
“If you look at the polling data, in particular the polling data in Virginia, is a lot of voters don’t seem particularly enthusiastic about either candidate,” said Virginia Wesleyan University Political Science Associate Professor Dr. Leslie Caughell.
This means their presence is vital here in the Commonwealth. Caughell said to expect to see more campaign surrogates in the months leading up to Election Day. More importantly, she said visits from the Biden and Trump campaigns just a day apart in Hampton Roads means both candidates are watching each other.
10:45 a.m. — Virginia shapes up to be battleground state in 2024 election
With five months to Election Day, a recent poll from Roanoke College shows a tight race between Trump and Biden, with both candidates getting 42% in Virginia.
Virginia has long swung between Republican and Democrat, but the state hasn't gone for a GOP presidential candidate since the 2004 election, and political forecasters such as Sabato's Crystal Ball believe the same will happen this year.
Trump recently met with Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin to discuss strategy on how the former president can win Virginia in November.
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