JD Vance visits Reno: Inflation, border issues among talking points

This story will be updated throughout the day.

JD Vance makes his first campaign visit to Nevada on Tuesday at a venue where former President Donald Trump packed a few thousand supporters in December.

The Republican vice presidential nominee stops by the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in the midst of a heated race that sees Democrats newly energized with President Joe Biden out and Vice President Kamala Harris presumed to be taking his place at the top of the ticket.

A campaign news release said Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio, will talk about inflation, the border and housing. He was scheduled to take the stage at 4:30 p.m.

‘Vote early’ message spread at Vance rally

Campaign volunteers stood at the entrance of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center asking people if they’d commit to voting early.

A Donald Trump supporter since 2016, Nancy Early went out of her way to grab a “Vote Early” sign before finding a seat at the front of the convention hall – laughing that the message matched her last name.

“I want to vote early because the Democrats are going to vote early,” said the Reno Republican in a pink “Women for Trump” hat.

She came to hear Vance speak about the situation on the border and inflation.

“I want to hear how they’re going to make America great again, make America safe again, make America wealthy again and how they’re going to fix all the problems that the Biden administration is causing,” Early said.

Bringing an Elvis attitude to JD Vance’s Reno event

Elvis impersonator John Blanche moved to Reno from California just before Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

“It’s been terrible since then, the world is falling apart,” he said after entering the Reno convention hall to see Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance.

That’s why he came as Elvis – to help people see the fun in life.

“Somebody’s got to have an Elvis attitude – have a good family, good morals, good work ethic and an attitude of kindness. That’s just how life works. You’ve got to be positive,” Blanche said, adding “I’m all for Trump, man.”

Democrats put up 9 billboards in Reno-Sparks about abortion ahead of JD Vance visit

Democrats jumped on Vance’s visit by putting up nine billboards along Interstate 80 and 580 attacking him for his comments on abortion and claiming 7 in 10 Nevadans support reproductive rights.

“Thanks to Trump, MAGA Republicans have enacted extreme abortion bans in 22 states – and if given the chance, Trump and Vance will force Nevada women to face the same horrific reality after they ban abortion nationwide,” said Stephanie Justice, regional spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, in a statement.

Mark Robison is the state politics reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal, with occasional forays into other topics. Email comments to mrobison@rgj.com or comment on Mark’s Greater Reno Facebook page.