Vice President Kamala Harris focused on the Southwest this week, conducting rallies in Arizona as Election Day approaches. She addressed supporters in the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler and held a town hall event in Las Vegas targeted at undecided Latino voters. Harris also hosted an event in Scottsdale, emphasizing her work with late Arizona Republican Senator John McCain and promising to create a bipartisan council of advisers if elected. Mesa Mayor John Giles, who started the Arizona chapter “Republicans for Harris,” joined her at the event.
Arizona is a crucial battleground state that President Joe Biden won in 2020, and Harris and opponent Donald Trump are both vying for its 11 electoral votes. Preliminary polling has shown Trump with a slight lead over Harris in the state, but recent polls have varied. While Trump led by small margins in polls by FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolling, a poll by The Wall Street Journal gave Harris a slight lead, and a poll by Emerson College/The Hill showed Trump ahead. Harris has improved Democrats’ chances in Arizona since launching her campaign, narrowing Trump’s lead in polls conducted in June and October.
Former President Barack Obama, who has endorsed Harris, is planning campaign events in Arizona and Nevada next week. Obama’s support could bolster Harris’s campaign in these key swing states. Trump is scheduled to host a rally in Arizona on Sunday, indicating the importance of the state in the upcoming election. Both campaigns have been contacted for comment on the state of the race in Arizona, as the competition intensifies leading up to Election Day.
In her speeches in Arizona, Harris emphasized the importance of unity and finding common ground on key issues. She highlighted the need for a bipartisan approach and expressed confidence in the shared values that can bridge political divides. Harris’s promises to create a council of advisers and work with members of different parties reflect her commitment to collaboration and inclusivity in governance. Her efforts to reach out to a variety of communities, including Latino voters, demonstrate her dedication to representing diverse voices in her campaign.
As the Arizona election approaches, the state’s 11 electoral votes are crucial for both Harris and Trump in securing victory. The close polling results indicate that Arizona is a highly contested battleground where every vote counts. With the support of key figures like Obama and local leaders like Mayor Giles, Harris is making a strong push in Arizona to sway voters in her favor. The upcoming events and rallies in the state will play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the election, as both candidates strive to secure support in this pivotal Southwest region.
