RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — After Tropical Storm Debby forced him to cancel a visit last month, Ohio senator JD Vance made his first appearance in Raleigh Wednesday afternoon. Vance, the running mate of former president Donald Trump, discussed the economy, immigration, and the housing crisis while speaking for about 45 minutes at Union Hall. "There are a lot of Democrats celebrating right now [because] they lowered interest rates by half of a percent," Vance said. "But interest rates have gone up by about six percent, thanks to Kamala Harris' policies." Polls show Kamala Harris with 1-point edge over Donald Trump in North Carolina After the rally, Vance was interviewed by CBS 17's Michael Hyland, which can be viewed above. Undecided voter Adam Bridegan said he came to the event to learn more about Trump and Vance's plans for the nation. "I was very curious about what policy decisions and proposals they're going to make regarding the economy," he said. "It's the most important issue to me." Also at the rally was Fran Armstrong, a former Democrat who said she's now supporting the Trump-Vance ticket. "The last couple of years, I've been voting on a Republican ticket," Armstrong said. "I think JD Vance offers a unique, common sense approach. He's military, he knows the American story." Ahead of Vance's visit, the Republicans for Harris-Walz group and local leaders issued statements criticizing Trump, Vance, and Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson. "Donald Trump and JD Vance are running on their extreme Project 2025 agenda that gives them unprecedented, unchecked power to do virtually whatever they want, including empowering MAGA extremists like Mark Robinson," said former Illinois Republican congressman Joe Walsh in his statement. "Trump wants to purge the government of anyone not sufficiently loyal and replace them with MAGA loyalists who will empower him to rule as a dictator on 'day one'. Republicans, moderates, and independents have seen the damage Trump inflicted and we are not going back." Robert Brown, the 2008 McCain for President North Carolina state director, said his a statement, "Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Mark Robinson have made clear that principled Republicans are not welcome in their party and are pursuing revenge and retribution against those who disagree with Trump. Republicans like my former boss, Senator McCain, called out dictators in foreign countries who did things like that. Today, MAGA Republicans are led by one. That is why, alongside Republican leaders like the Cheneys, Congressman Walsh, and many of Trump's own former staffers, I am eagerly supporting Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz." Said state Sen. Val Applewhite in her statement, "With Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz, we have two leaders who support those of us who have put our lives on the line to defend the promise of America, stand up for our values, and will protect our fundamental freedoms. The same cannot be said for Donald Trump, JD Vance, and their extreme MAGA allies like Mark Robinson. Trump has called our fallen service members 'suckers' and 'losers' and tried to cut benefits for disabled veterans. Donald Trump is not fit for leadership because he disrespects those who serve our country and only looks out for himself." Dr. Josh Nitsche, a North Carolina obstetrician gynecologist, said in his statement, "Donald Trump overturned Roe v. Wade and now we have a Trump abortion ban here that has prevented us from giving our patients the care they need. rump, Vance and their MAGA ally Mark Robinson's plan to go even further, including with a national abortion ban, restricting access to contraception and threatening IVF, and repealing the Affordable Care Act with only 'concepts of a plan' for what to do for the 1.5 million North Carolinians who will lose their health care. As a physician, I'm speaking out because Donald Trump's agenda is bad for our health." As Trump and Vance prepare to face Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota governor Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election, North Carolina remains one of the states expected to decide the outcome. Both campaigns have made frequent stops to the Tar Heel State, with Walz addressing supporters in Asheville the day before Vance's visit. Last week, Harris visited Charlotte and held a rally in Greensboro. This Saturday, Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Wilmington. A September poll from Eastern Carolina University shows Trump leading Harris in North Carolina by one point, 48% to 47%. Trump won North Carolina by 1.35% in 2020, the smallest margin among the states he carried. A Democratic presidential candidate has not won North Carolina since Barack Obama in 2008.