In a pivotal moment of her 2024 campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris took center stage in Arizona, addressing one of the most contentious issues of the election: immigration. Joined by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris spoke before a crowd of over 15,000 supporters in Glendale, highlighting her experience as California’s former Attorney General to bolster her stance on border security and immigration reform.
Drawing on her background in law enforcement, Harris emphasized her success in prosecuting transnational gangs and drug cartels, positioning herself as a candidate with the expertise to tackle complex border issues. "I prosecuted them in case after case, and I won," Harris stated, underscoring her commitment to a secure and humane immigration system. She criticized former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, for his lack of genuine solutions, saying, "Donald Trump talks a big game about border security, but he does not walk the walk."
Harris's Arizona visit is part of a broader strategy to regain ground in the Sun Belt, a region where Democrats have struggled to maintain their momentum. Arizona, a key battleground state, has become increasingly competitive, with its fast-growing Latino population and a shifting political landscape. The state's importance is underscored by its recent electoral history, including President Joe Biden's narrow victory over Trump in 2020 by fewer than 11,000 votes.
The Vice President’s campaign has faced challenges, including attacks from Trump and his allies, who have shifted their focus from Biden to Harris. In Arizona, Harris has also encountered resistance from local Republicans, such as Kari Lake, who is running against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego for the open Senate seat. Lake has criticized Harris’s immigration policies, labeling them as radical and out of touch with the state’s concerns.
However, Harris is making a concerted effort to win over Arizona’s diverse electorate. She has released a new campaign ad highlighting her personal story as the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, aiming to connect with the state’s Latino voters. During the rally, Harris infused her speech with themes of freedom and democracy, touching on issues such as voting rights, gun safety, and reproductive rights. “Arizona, ours is a fight for the future and it is a fight for freedom,” she declared, as Beyoncé’s “Freedom” played in the background.
For many in the audience, Harris’s message resonated deeply. Jen Duran, a 37-year-old mother and independent voter, expressed concern over school safety and appreciated Harris’s focus on gun restrictions. “Safety for our kids is really important,” Duran said. Similarly, Phyllis Zeno, a 65-year-old grandmother, found inspiration in Harris’s advocacy for affordable healthcare and reproductive rights, saying it renewed her faith in democracy.
Despite these efforts, some Arizona voters remain skeptical. Gonzalo Leyva, a 49-year-old landscaper and former Democrat, expressed disappointment that Harris chose Walz over Arizona Senator Mark Kelly as her running mate. Leyva, who now plans to vote for Trump, said, “I prefer Kelly like 100 times. I don’t think he’s that extreme like the other guys.”
Arizona’s political landscape has shifted significantly in recent years, moving from a Republican stronghold to a more competitive battleground. The state’s electoral history reflects this transformation, with Democrats winning key races in 2018, 2020, and 2022. However, Harris and Walz face an uphill battle in uniting the state’s diverse electorate, especially as Trump continues to exert influence over the Republican base.
Adding to the complexities of the campaign, Harris was interrupted by protesters advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza during her speech. The Vice President acknowledged their concerns, stating that she and President Biden are working tirelessly to negotiate a ceasefire and bring hostages home. However, she redirected the focus back to the election, emphasizing the importance of the 2024 race.
As Harris continues her tour of battleground states, Arizona remains a critical piece of the puzzle for her campaign. With the race expected to be as close as it was in 2020, every vote will count, and Harris is leaving no stone unturned in her effort to win over the state’s electorate.
