Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his team are currently in Harbor Springs, Michigan, for a 'debate camp' ahead of the upcoming vice presidential debate against Ohio Sen. JD Vance. The small waterfront resort town, located about a four-hour drive from Detroit, has been chosen as the setting for their preparations.
With the exception of a campaign event in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Saturday, where the governor plans to attend a University of Michigan Wolverines football game, sources indicate that Walz intends to stay at the debate camp until the day of the debate, when he will then travel to New York City.
According to sources, the debate prep sessions for Gov. Walz and his team have been relatively informal thus far, with mock debates yet to commence. However, it is expected that full rehearsals will begin over the weekend, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stepping in to portray Sen. Vance during these practice sessions. Buttigieg has been actively involved in both in-person and virtual debate preparations and is set to join the team in Harbor Springs soon.
The campaign has chosen not to comment on these specific details regarding the debate preparations. Leading Gov. Walz' debate readiness efforts are former White House official Rob Friedlander and Zayn Siddique, a lawyer at the law firm Paul, Weiss. Siddique, who was also involved in Vice President Kamala Harris' debate preparations, is playing a key role in shaping Walz' strategy for the upcoming debate.
