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VP Biden to return to Lordstown UAW hall to campaign for Clinton
LORDSTOWN
Vice President Joe Biden is returning to the United Auto Workers Local 1714 union hall Thursday – four years and one day after he last campaigned there.
“Isn’t that crazy?” Sherry Grant, UAW Local 1714 vice president, said Tuesday at the union hall about Biden’s timing. “We’re real excited. We’re very busy right now. Secret Service has been here all day.”
Thursday’s visit by Biden will be on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Also, ex-Gov. Ted Strickland, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, will speak at the rally, Grant said.
Doors to the hall will open at 9:30 a.m., with the event starting at 11, according to Clinton’s campaign.
An email Tuesday to the media from the campaign states: “Biden will lay out the high stakes of November’s election and urge Ohioans to support Clinton and her vision for an America that is stronger together, with an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.”
An email Tuesday from the campaign to supporters said Biden would “discuss the stakes of this election and the issues that affect us here in Ohio like health care, paid family leave and education.”
The Clinton website said Biden “will talk about Hillary’s vision to create jobs and grow our economy.”
Those wanting to attend the Biden event in the Valley can RSVP online at: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/events/view/A4O2IT5TF6D7OZGZ/
The hall holds up to 400 people, Grant said.
Members of Local 1714 as well as Local 1112 work at the Lordstown General Motors complex, home of the Chevrolet Cruze.
President Barack Obama and Biden “have been good to labor. We want to thank him for saving the auto industry,” Grant said.
In 2009, the federal government provided an $82 billion bailout of General Motors and Chrysler that is largely credited with saving the American auto industry.
On Aug. 31, 2012, Biden had a rally for Obama and himself at the UAW hall, with about 250 in attendance, largely to talk about the auto rescue.
Biden then headed to the Mocha House in Warren and finished the day at the Canfield Fair. The latter two visits were unannounced.
Biden is expected to make at least one unannounced stop Thursday with a return to the fair being considered, sources said.
Robert Morales, UAW Local 1714 president, and Glenn Johnson, UAW Local 1112 president, cannot attend Biden’s event because they are in Mexico and Canada to see operations at GM plants that are considered top-tier facilities.
Morales and Johnson introduced U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, during a Clinton-Kaine rally July 30 at Youngstown’s East High School. Kaine then introduced Clinton.
Biden campaigned in the Mahoning Valley three times each in 2008 and 2012 for himself and Obama, and once in 2010 for then-Gov. Strickland during his failed re-election campaign.
Also Thursday, Biden is campaigning in Parma. The event at the UAW Local 1005 union hall starts at 5:45 p.m., with doors opening at 3:45.
The UAW formally endorsed Clinton for president May 25.