VALDOSTA, Ga. — Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance visited the Peach State on Thursday as he addressed Georgians in Valdosta in a campaign stop at the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.
Trump's running mate criticized the current Biden Administration and the situation at the Southern border. He also said that VP Harris and her running mate Tim Walz are soft on crime.
"(The) dynamic duo for people who want to make our streets less safe. I happen to believe in a very common sense principle -- that we are going to back the blue," Vance said.
Vance also met with law enforcement officials in Valdosta at the sheriff's office, where he got a tour of drugs and weapons seized across the area.
During his speech, Vance also tried to save face for his runaning mate, former President Donald Trump, in connection to his ongoing feud with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Trump recently blasted Kemp and his wife for being "disloyal" and a "bad guy," as well as attacking his wife, Marty, while saying his endorsement was the sole reason Kemp was elected in Georgia.
"I read the headlines. Brian Kemp and Donald Trump have had some disagreements," Vance said. "I 100% guarantee you that Brian Kemp is behind this ticket. He wants us to win because he believes the policies of Kamala Harris are disastrous for this country, and he's exactly right about that."
You can hear Vance's remarks on Thursday below:
After the campaign rally ended, Vance headed into town to pay residents of the small south Georgia town a visit at a local donut shop. The interaction that Vance had with the employees of the donut shop went viral, however, with many on social media calling it "awkward" and ridiculing Vance online for what he said.
In the video that was captured by CSPAN and posted on X by NBC News reporter Carl Quintanilla, Vance approaches one of the employees at the donut shop and says, "I'm JD Vance. I'm running for vice president," for which the employee looks a little puzzled and responds, "Okay."
Vance then tries to make small talk with the employees while ordering donuts, during which one of the employees at the donut shop tells the camera crew that she does not want to be filmed.
Vance's visit came right at the tail end of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.