PLYMOUTH, Mich. (Diya TV) — Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz met at the Mata Tripta Ji Gurdwara Sahib in Plymouth, Michigan, and asked Sikh Americans to vote in the next election and strengthen the vision of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz.

Mrs. Walz appreciated the warm reception given to her in the visit to the Sikh temple as she emphasized their significance in the campaign for the country.

“Thank you for inviting me to join you here in this sacred space,” she said to the congregation. “Thanks for welcoming me with arms open wide. The Vice President Harris and my husband, Tim, know well the many ways Sikh Americans have made so many contributions. I am honored to be here today in your midst representing your greeting and respect and rejoicing in your vibrant community.”

Mrs. Walz was flanked by influential political leaders, including Reps. Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Pramila Jayapal of Washington, along with Michigan State Representative Ranjeev Puri, one of the first Sikh Americans elected to the Michigan Legislature. All three of them stressed the issues of inclusivity and economic opportunity in the Harris-Walz ticket.

The Sikh American community is an important electorate, not only in the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community but also in Michigan with more than 220,000 eligible voters. Mrs. Walz focused her campaign on the economic policies she thinks will benefit all Americans by emphasizing the need for what she called an “Opportunity Economy.”

“When we send Kamala and Tim to the White House, they will fight for everyone,” Walz said. “They will build an Opportunity Economy that gives everyone a shot at the American Dream. That includes making housing and healthcare more affordable, supporting small businesses, ensuring every child gets a quality education, and keeping our communities safe from violence.”

In conclusion, Mrs. Walz encouraged the Sikh American community to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.

“It will take all of us to build a better future,” Walz said. “That means, first and foremost, we need to vote. It’s the ultimate form of community service. Our vote is our voice, and we have a responsibility to the generations that came to this country, as well as to those yet to come, to make sure our voices are heard.”

The visit was an indication of the political engagement of AAPI communities across the country, which leaders are now reaching out to in diverse groups across key states such as Michigan.