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In Tucson, Vance & Walz Clash: Mass Deportation vs. Embracing Humanity

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In Tucson, Vance & Walz offer competing visions: Mass deportation vs. 'humanity'

With mail-in ballots on the way and only 27 days remaining until the November election, Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held concurrent campaign events in Tucson on Wednesday.

Their speeches highlighted contrasting themes. Vance, aligned with Republican standard-bearer Donald Trump, pointed to migrants as the root of America’s challenges. Conversely, Walz criticized Republicans for lacking a plan beyond blaming migrants, praising Vice President Kamala Harris’s compassionate approach to immigration and asserting, “You love America.”

Both candidates are vying for Arizona’s crucial 11 electoral votes, and each event emphasized voter mobilization efforts. Walz spoke at Palo Verde High Magnet School, while Vance addressed supporters at the Tucson Speedway racetrack.

Vance painted a dire picture of America, arguing that immigration drives up costs for housing and food while straining emergency services. He appealed to voters, stating, “If you want to secure the southern border and lower grocery prices, vote for Donald Trump.” He directly criticized Vice President Harris, claiming her policies contribute to the influx of fentanyl and crime.

“It’s not just crime; it’s American children who have had their schools overrun,” Vance asserted. He attributed the tragic death of a Georgia woman to immigrants, despite evidence indicating that most fentanyl is smuggled by U.S. citizens.

Vance took aim at what he described as “compassionate” Democratic policies, arguing that they do not help American children struggling in overcrowded classrooms. His claims about migrant-related statistics were contested, with a spokesperson from Immigration and Customs Enforcement labeling them misleading.

He pledged that under a Trump presidency, they would restrict immigration and ease living costs for citizens, ignoring complex housing market dynamics that have intensified over recent years.

Prior to Vance’s remarks, a series of Republican speakers urged call to action among voters. Vance’s comments included a joke about voter fraud, which raised eyebrows among attendees. “We’re Republicans. We only vote once,” he added, attempting to steer the focus back to legal voting.

At the same time, Walz rallied a crowd of over 600 at Palo Verde, emphasizing love for America as a unifying theme. He dismissed Vance’s immigration rhetoric, labeling it as “snake oil,” and presented the Democratic approach as inclusive and humane.

Walz praised the efforts Biden and Harris have made on border security, emphasizing an “earned path to citizenship” for migrants who have been in the country for years. He remarked on past Republican values, evoking former Sen. John McCain and calling for a return to freedom-centric policies.

Gun control emerged as a contentious topic as well. “Our kids need to be free to go to school without being shot,” Walz asserted, framing it not as an infringement on the Second Amendment, but as a critical responsibility to protect children.

As the campaign continues, both speakers reminded the audience of Arizona’s pivotal role in the upcoming election. Local political figures echoed the need for voter engagement, emphasizing that every vote counts in this battleground state.

This marks the second time this campaign cycle that the Harris and Trump campaigns overlapped in Tucson, illustrating the state’s significance to both parties. Polling data shows the race is tightly contested, with Trump leading by a narrow margin.

As Vice President Harris prepares for a rally in Phoenix, Trump plans his own event in Prescott Valley, further underscoring Arizona’s central role in the path to the White House.