The Democratic Party’s “Soul of the Nation” bus tour began its Colorado leg Thursday in Durango, stopping in Buckley Park, where candidates and party leaders milled with voters and helped hand out items.
“I personally reached out to the Biden campaign some time ago. I was upset when Donald Trump said Biden had no law enforcement support, and I wanted to make clear that I support Biden,” said La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith. “I don’t like campaigning based on hate and divisiveness, and I’m looking for us to go in a different direction. That’s why I’m here today.”
The bus carried yard signs, T-shirts, campaign buttons, stickers, window displays and other items for supporters to use as the party continues its get-out-the-vote efforts.
Supporters could also get their pictures taken with life-sized cutouts of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, a U.S. senator from California.
The bus was headed to Grand Junction after the 1½-hour stop in Durango, with a planned stop in Silverton.
State Rep. Barbara McLachlan, said, “It’s all part of our get-out-the-vote effort. We really support Biden-Harris, now more than ever.”
Chaise Jonsen and Tara Manack, visiting Durango from Portland, Oregon, stopped to pick up some T-shirts and stickers, and said they hoped to see new occupants in the White House after the Nov. 3 election.
“We just stumbled upon this,” Manack said, clutching her new Biden-Harris long-sleeve T-shirt.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Chaise Jonsen's first name.
