JD Vance Targets Arizona’s Major Metros in Strategic Push for Hispanic Support

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Mesa on Wednesday echoed themes of God, conservative principles, immigration, and former President Donald Trump. Sen. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, marked his second visit to Arizona within the same day, following an earlier rally in Tucson. Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz campaigned on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris, signifying the escalating competition for Arizona’s crucial 11 electoral votes.

The event specifically targeted Hispanic voters, a demographic vital for securing Arizona’s electoral support. Betty Cardenas, an adviser for the Latinas for Trump-Vance Coalition, emphasized the stakes of the upcoming election. “This is really an election of good versus evil,” she asserted, framing it as a battle between traditional values and what she termed a “liberal woke agenda.”

Arizona shifted from supporting Trump in 2016 to Biden in 2020, marking a significant political transformation. Biden won by a razor-thin margin of 0.3%, revealing the importance of each voter in this battleground state. Notably, Hispanics comprise about 33% of Arizona’s population, making their support crucial for both parties.

During the conference, Vance articulated his and Trump’s commitment to law enforcement, pivoting the discussion toward the Hispanic community within police forces. “One of the coolest things I’ve noticed about our law enforcement community is how many Gonzales and Hernandez, and how many Latinos are serving as law enforcement officers every single day,” he noted. In Phoenix, the largest police department employs over 2,500 officers, with 21% identifying as Hispanic.

However, recent scrutiny surrounds the Phoenix police following a three-year investigation by the Department of Justice. The report criticized the department for excessive use of force and infringing on the rights of protesters. DOJ officials have advocated for a consent decree to enforce reforms, a notion met with skepticism by Republicans who argue it imposes undue federal oversight.

Under Trump, the DOJ limited the issuance of consent decrees, a policy shift reversed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021. This change reinstated the DOJ’s authority to pursue reforms to address systemic issues within police departments, as seen in various cities, including Minneapolis, following the George Floyd incident.

At the event, Kari Lake, a U.S. Senate candidate in Arizona, also emphasized traditional values in her speech. She asserted the importance of the “America First movement” in prioritizing national interests. “We have the policy to do it – and you know how we know that? Because we saw it, we saw it 3-and-a-half years ago with President Trump,” Lake stated.

Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach who gained attention after being fired for praying at a game, shared a moment of prayer with Vance. His recent legal victory, culminating in a settlement following a Supreme Court ruling, underscores the intersection of faith and politics at the conference.

Concluding his address, Vance rallied attendees to vote for Trump and highlighted the contrasting values between the candidates. He stated, “You could make a difference between having a pro-religious liberty and anti-illegal immigrant and a pro-common sense guy like Donald Trump as your president, or you can elect the person who I think violates all of our values.”