Minn. Gov Tim Walz visits Raleigh for Democratic campaign reception

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Minnesota Gov Tim Walz, the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic presidential ticket made a campaign stop in Raleigh on Thursday afternoon that extended into the evening.

The trip, of course, required a stop at Cook-Out on South Saunders Street with Gov. Roy Cooper: Mint chocolate chip milkshake for Walz, M&M shake for Cooper. Walz later told attendees at the fundraiser that he "ate the whole damn thing."

After Cook-Out, they made a stop at a campaign office on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh right near the bus station.

Walz got talking with volunteers there and thanked them. He was also handed a phone in the office to talk to a supporter

Walz and Harris had planned to stop in the Tar Heel State just a few days after she selected him as her running mate, but they canceled their visit because of Tropical Storm Debby.

RELATED | Cooper praises Walz as a 'leader' ahead of Raleigh fundraiser

Walz was in town to deliver remarks at an evening event and raise money for the campaign.

He spoke in the small small ballroom of the Marriott before about 100 people. He delivered remarks for about 10 minutes and fittingly joked that the crowd could instead be watching the Minnesota-UNC football game tonight. One speaker called it the "fastest-planned political fundraiser" in the state's history, according to a reporter in the room.

During the fundraiser, Walz discussed the importance of conceding an election - but noted that he's never had to because he's never lost one.

"If you lose an election, you shake hands and congratulate the person who won," he said. "That's easy for me to say - I have not lost one before. And I want to keep it that way."

Walz described politics as "a means to an end," echoing what he told volunteers earlier in the day.

"The end is a fair, better society where all people can thrive," he said.

Dave Kirkpatrick, who attended the fundraiser, told ABC11 he left impressed.

"To be able to have the presence. He didn't talk too long but just inspiring and salt of the earth. Fantastic great vibe," Kirkpatrick said. "It feels like Georgia and NC are in play and it's about time. 2008 was the last time. We're due."

Democratic Congressman Wiley Nickel was also there.

"He's one of the best messengers I've seen for that and we got to see it up close, just a wonderful event to help support the campaign," Nickel said. "Tons of energy, tons of people signing up to volunteer. That's what is going to win this election. We're a 50/50 state. It's going to be close, it's going to come down to who can get their people out to vote."

North Carolina is a big prize in the upcoming election for Democrats and Republicans. The Harris and Trump campaigns have spent a lot of time holding rallies and fundraisers across the state during the last couple months.

That's because polling shows the state is up for grabs.

Sylvia Perry, a former educator said she was pleased with the energy of the event.

"I've been an educator for 44 years ... just nice to see someone repping us in a good way," she said.

A new poll from Elon University found both Harris and Trump viewed favorably by just about half of voters.

ABC News contributed to this report.