Chelsea Clinton urges 'team effort' in Point

STEVENS POINT - Chelsea Clinton didn't hold back Tuesday afternoon when she described the presidential election at a campaign rally in Stevens Point.

“I think this is the most important presidential election in my lifetime,” she said.

Clinton, the 36-year-old daughter of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, visited the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to urge a crowd of about 250 spectators — many of them students — to vote early and support her mother’s campaign.

“This has to be a team effort," she said. "We have to elect my mom and support Democrats up and down the ballot.”

Clinton praised her mother's record of public service and argued in support of her policies, which she described as more detailed than the policies of her mother's opponent, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“I’m deeply biased toward my mother," Clinton said, which drew a few laughs from the crowd. "I make no claim to the contrary.”

Clinton took a handful of questions from her audience, including one about her mother's plan to address climate change. Clinton responded by telling the crowd her mother recognizes the threat posed by climate change, but also hopes the country takes advantage of an opportunity to become a leader in clean energy.

Clinton talked for about half an hour before departing the stage to cheers and a huge round of applause, but stuck around for a while after her speech to take photos and talk with supporters.

The crowd started to gather about two hours before the rally began as organizers handed out campaign stickers and talked with people waiting in line. In the middle of the pack, Roger Keller, a Marshfield resident, waited for the event to start. Keller said he hopes the rally will get people excited about the campaign and sway any remaining undecided voters.

“Although," he said of those who haven't yet made up their minds, "I can’t imagine how you can sit on the fence in this election.".

Rachel Lozinski, a student and president of the College Democrats group at UWSP, hoped Chelsea Clinton's visit would resonate with other people her age.

“I know Hillary definitely tries to connect with millennials," she said. "Having her daughter come might be more effective."

Lozinski was pleasantly surprised, though, by the number of people from other generations who showed up at the rally.

“We have a lot of community members here, which is awesome,” she said.

Clinton also stopped in La Crosse on Tuesday before making her way to Stevens Point, and also planned a visit to Madison later in the day.

Chris Mueller: 715-345-2251 or christopher.mueller@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter@AtChrisMueller.