Democratic VP nominee Tim Kaine campaigns in Reno

RENO — Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine highlighted the differences between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at a rally Thursday, saying if you believe in climate science and immigration reform then the Democratic Party ticket is the choice in November.

Kaine spoke at the University of Nevada, Reno on a chilly day with a crowd of about 400.

“Do you believe we are a ‘stronger together America’ or a crippled America,” he asked the audience. “I know why you are here.”

In a rundown of the differences between the two presidential candidates, Kaine said the Clinton ticket also believes in a woman’s right to make her own health care choices and in the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

But he really hit Trump on climate change, saying that the GOP nominee has said the issue is a hoax created by the Chinese.

“If you don’t accept science, where do I start with you,” he asked.

The U.S. senator from Virginia told the crowd that he has run and won eight political races in his career.

“I’m not going to lose the ninth,” Kaine said.

Later on he added: “But let me be honest, I barely win my races.”

Kaine urged the students to register and vote on Nov. 8.

After the rally, Kaine visited Carniceria Tejaro for a quick lunch of tacos. He spoke briefly in Spanish with Diego Mora-Chavez, manager of the store and restaurant. Kaine watched as Grecia Mora Chavez, younger sister to Diego, registered to vote with Hillary for Nevada staff.

Kaine began his public remarks by addressing the shootings of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Keith Lamont Scott of Charlotte, North Carolina, by police and the violence in Charlotte.

“We see challenges all over the country, challenges of gulfs and gaps that exist between communities and law enforcement,” Kaine said. “But what we need to do is think about the families of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott. Those are two more names on, sadly, a long list of African-Americans that has grown too long.

“These issues have to be raised,” he said. “We’ve got to talk about them. We’ve got to put them on the table. They’re not easy, but we can do that with a calm and peaceful spirit, and we call for that.”

The Republican National Committee criticized the vice presidential candidate in a statement.

“While recent polls show Hillary Clinton’s support continuing to fall in Nevada, it’s no surprise Tim Kaine is visiting Reno in an attempt to shore up support in this key battleground state. After Hillary Clinton disgracefully chose to slander the millions of Americans who do not support her campaign, Tim Kaine will certainly have an uphill climb trying to win over voters in Nevada.”

Kaine predicted a victory for Clinton at a Los Angeles fundraiser Tuesday.

He attended several fundraisers Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area, including one hosted by former GOP gubernatorial candidate and Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman.

Whitman announced she was voting for Clinton because of her concerns about Trump.

It was Kaine’s first appearance in Northern Nevada as part of the Clinton campaign.

He previously campaigned in two separate events in Las Vegas in August.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Follow @seanw801 on Twitter.