Vice President Harris rallies support in Park City fundraiser, discusses debate, highlights healthcare

Kamala Harris. Photo: Openverse // Gage Skidmore

'The significance of this election is profound... this country is worth fighting for' - Kamala Harris

PARK CITY, Utah — Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attended a fundraiser in Harris’ honor on Friday afternoon in Park City.

Emhoff spoke first, giving a rousing introduction to his wife. They both addressed the crowd of approximately 200 donors without using prepared speeches. 

Harris began her remarks by exclaiming, “We’re gonna win! It ain’t gonna be easy, but we’re gonna win!”

She spoke passionately about the freedoms for a woman to make decisions about her own body, and how she strives in the near future to cap medication for Americans at a cost of $250 annually.

Harris also addressed Thursday night’s debate in Atlanta between President Biden and former President Trump, echoing what she’d said in numerous national television post-debate interviews to the crowd.

“Here’s the thing, it was a slow start, but a strong finish,” she said. 

Harris said that the Democratic Party is the party that cares about the suffering and wellbeing of other people. 

“The significance of this election is profound… this country is worth fighting for,” she said in conclusion.

Her remarks were intermittently interrupted by rounds of applause.

After her remarks, higher-paying donors had the opportunity to take photos with Harris.

Emhoff recalled good memories of childhood trips to Park City to ski, and mentioned how much fun he and his family used to have watching Park City’s annual Fourth of July parade.

The event was held in the home of Mark Gilbert, former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Major League Baseball player, and his wife, Nancy Gilbert. The Gilberts also hosted President Biden’s visit to Park City last summer.

“It was an incredible turnout for an incredible Vice President,” Gilbert said. “I told everyone to please come because you have to hear her in person.  And even though the people here today, and even more wanted to come, had the highest expectations, those were broken through on the upside.”

Two attendees, among other VIP’s like former Utah State Senator Scott Howell, were Park City’s Jill Sheinberg and Casey Lebwohl. Sheinberg told TownLift, “It’s exciting to have Vice President Harris here in Park City.”

“After watching last night’s debate and feeling so disheartened about President Biden’s performance, I was a little bit trepidatious about coming to this event and feeling full-throated support, but being in the presence of Vice President Harris and hearing the strength of conviction that she has and how this administration will continue to take care of all of Americans and make lives better for all Americans, has reinvigorated my passion and support for the Biden Harris ticket, and I will continue to support and work towards their reelection,” Lebwohl told TownLift.  

The affair was catered by Kathleen and Maureen Dunn, the sisters and long-time locals behind Done To Your Taste Catering. Maureen needed both hands in order to list to TownLift the number of national politicians for whom she’s catered, and Kathleen beamed with fond memories of being in the same Girl Scout Troop in California’s Bay Area as Harris.