**Tim Walz Campaigns at Michigan Football Game Before Key Debate**

BELLEVILLE, Mich. - Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is gearing up for his final major campaign event before the upcoming debate by attending a high-profile football game between the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota in Ann Arbor. Scheduled for Saturday, Walz, who is also the governor of Minnesota, plans to meet with young voters on the college campus prior to the game's afternoon kickoff.

As part of the campaign strategy supporting Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential bid, Walz has emphasized his background as a football coach and teacher by interacting with students on various university campuses. His efforts will now lead him to a critical faceoff on Tuesday with Donald Trump's running mate, Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. Post-Saturday's game, according to a source who asked for anonymity, Walz is expected to proceed to northern Michigan for final debate preparations.

Meanwhile, Trump is also actively campaigning, holding a rally in Wisconsin and planning to attend the college football game between Georgia and Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Harris campaign has taken this opportunity to launch a new ad during the game, highlighting Trump's reluctance for a second presidential debate, which Harris has openly supported.

In the lead-up to the debate, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been aiding Walz by simulating JD Vance in debate prep sessions held at a Minneapolis hotel. This has been confirmed by another anonymous source familiar with these sessions.

Michigan is an essential battleground state in the November presidential election. While Harris has made several visits to Detroit since her campaign's launch in July, Walz has focused on other areas including a recent trip to Grand Rapids. Walz has been particularly active in engaging young voters, recently visiting Michigan State University. The youth turnout in Michigan was the highest nationwide in 2022, contributing to significant gains for Democrats in the state, and replicating this success could be pivotal for Harris.

Following the vice presidential debate, Walz and Harris are expected to continue their campaign efforts together on a bus tour through central Pennsylvania.