Harris and Walz Light Up Phoenix with Electrifying Friday Rally

In Arizona, every vote will be critical.

PHOENIX — Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside her new running mate Tim Walz, will hold a rally in Arizona this Friday. This event is part of their tour through crucial electoral battlegrounds. Notably, Harris bypassed prominent Democrat and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, choosing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz instead.

Although storms delayed her arrival, Harris’ plane landed safely at Sky Harbor Airport on Thursday afternoon.

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, known for his achievements as a former astronaut and gun control advocate, was a top contender for the vice-presidential slot. In bypassing Kelly, Harris risks unmet expectations. Gonzalo Leyva, a 49-year-old landscaper in Phoenix, plans to vote for former President Donald Trump but admits he would have considered supporting a Harris-Kelly ticket.

Arizona’s political significance cannot be overstated. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden narrowly edged out Trump by fewer than 11,000 votes. Experts predict another close race. “These last few months are going to feel like years, and it is tough to see anyone winning by a large margin,” remarked veteran Republican strategist Constantine Querard.

Despite the exclusion of Kelly, Democratic officials maintain that Harris holds strong support in Arizona. Sen. Kelly is anticipated to remain an influential advocate for Harris, possibly securing a Cabinet position or another significant role should Harris take office.

“Not picking Kelly hasn’t put the brakes on support for Harris,” stated Democratic strategist Stacy Pearson. She noted the enthusiastic crowds greeting Harris and Walz on their campaign stops, drawing comparisons to the electrifying atmosphere of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign.

Arizona’s demographics offer unique strategic advantages. Many Midwesterners, like Phoenix newcomer Scott Snyder, find Walz relatable. “He reminds me a lot of my dad,” said Snyder, an electrician, highlighting Walz’s relatable image as a high school football coach and hunter.

However, the state’s political leanings are shifting. Former President Trump’s combative style eroded traditional Republican support, facilitating narrow Democratic victories in recent elections. Trump’s feud with the late Republican Sen. John McCain catalyzed a shift among moderate Republicans toward the Democrats.

The Arizona campaign is intensely focused on immigration issues, a longstanding political battleground. Trump and his supporters are criticizing Harris on her border policy, while Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake targets Democratic opponent Ruben Gallego over Biden and Harris’ border agenda.

Harris, in contrast, is leveraging her immigrant background to appeal to Arizona’s burgeoning Latino population. Her narrative highlights her rise as the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica to a high-ranking political role.

Arizona’s diverse population includes not just young people but also significant retirement communities. Democratic strategist Pearson cited concerns about President Biden’s age (81) affecting voter sentiment. “Fellow retirees were the first to say this is not OK,” she noted, expressing greater optimism with the Harris-Walz ticket.

This is a developing story. Additional reporting by Riccardi from Denver and Walt Berry in Phoenix.