Vance and Walz Gather in Arizona to Mobilize Voters as Early Voting Commences
They will be in Tucson and the larger Phoenix region on Wednesday.
TroibNews 
Tim Walz and JD Vance are set to hold rival rallies in Arizona on Wednesday as the state begins early voting and both campaigns aim to connect with voters in this crucial battleground.
The candidates, along with their running mates, are campaigning in Arizona, a state that President Joe Biden secured in 2020, whereas former President Donald Trump won it in the closely contested 2016 election. Following their visit, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to be in Phoenix on Friday, while Trump will hold a rally in Prescott Valley on Sunday.
This will mark the first time Walz and Vance have been in close proximity on the campaign trail since their recent debate where they met face-to-face.
Vance’s day will commence with a rally in Tucson before he heads to Mesa, near Phoenix, for a CPAC town hall event. In contrast, Walz will kick off his day in Chandler, just outside of Phoenix, and later hold a rally in Tucson.
Recent polling indicates that Trump holds a slight advantage in the Sun Belt, with a new AARP poll showing him leading Harris by 2 points, despite strong performance from down-ballot Democrats. Vance mentioned last week his focus on Rust Belt states due to a greater sense of confidence in the Sun Belt. His last rally in Arizona occurred over a month ago.
“We feel very good about the Sun Belt,” Vance said in a recent interview with the Ruthless Podcast. “I think the Rust Belt, we have a lot more work to do.”
In his campaign efforts, Walz is joined by notable figures from Arizona, including Jim McCain, the son of the late Republican Senator John McCain, who has endorsed Harris. Walz will also participate in events with Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for Senate, and Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community.
Both campaigns aim to emphasize early voting and the various voting methods available, even as Trump has issued mixed signals regarding early voting, labeling the practice as “stupid.” At his rallies, Vance has encouraged attendees to “legally vote 10 times” by organizing plans to bring nine friends and family members to the polls.
“I don't like the fact that we have gone from Election Day to election season in this country. But it is what it is,” Vance remarked at a rally in Detroit on Tuesday. “If Democrats are going to take advantage of every avenue to vote, then Republicans, we've got to do it too so get out there, make your voice heard, and get out there and vote.”
Vance has also directed attendees to visit “SwampTheVote.com,” which provides information on how to request a ballot, check registration, and vote early. This has become a new element of his speeches at recent rallies.
Walz frequently encourages his supporters with the saying “all gas, no brake,” aiming to energize organizers and motivate voters to register.
This is Walz’s second solo trip to the Southwest since assuming his role as Harris’ running mate, with the campaign striving to engage Latino and Native American voters in this highly competitive state. Harris faces the particular challenge of winning over Latino men in the final push of the campaign.
During Vance's last visit to Arizona, the Ohio Republican remarked that John McCain would likely not support Harris if he were alive today, following his son’s endorsement of her. Vance also pointed out that while Trump lost Arizona, “there were some problems” and made light of uncounted ballots in Maricopa County, eliciting smiles from the audience.
“We lost Arizona — 10,000 votes was the difference between Arizona going for Donald Trump,” Vance stated at a rally in Phoenix in September, while urging people to ensure they vote by Nov. 5. “10,000 votes stand between us and getting those Arizona electoral votes.”
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
The candidates, along with their running mates, are campaigning in Arizona, a state that President Joe Biden secured in 2020, whereas former President Donald Trump won it in the closely contested 2016 election. Following their visit, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to be in Phoenix on Friday, while Trump will hold a rally in Prescott Valley on Sunday.
This will mark the first time Walz and Vance have been in close proximity on the campaign trail since their recent debate where they met face-to-face.
Vance’s day will commence with a rally in Tucson before he heads to Mesa, near Phoenix, for a CPAC town hall event. In contrast, Walz will kick off his day in Chandler, just outside of Phoenix, and later hold a rally in Tucson.
Recent polling indicates that Trump holds a slight advantage in the Sun Belt, with a new AARP poll showing him leading Harris by 2 points, despite strong performance from down-ballot Democrats. Vance mentioned last week his focus on Rust Belt states due to a greater sense of confidence in the Sun Belt. His last rally in Arizona occurred over a month ago.
“We feel very good about the Sun Belt,” Vance said in a recent interview with the Ruthless Podcast. “I think the Rust Belt, we have a lot more work to do.”
In his campaign efforts, Walz is joined by notable figures from Arizona, including Jim McCain, the son of the late Republican Senator John McCain, who has endorsed Harris. Walz will also participate in events with Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for Senate, and Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community.
Both campaigns aim to emphasize early voting and the various voting methods available, even as Trump has issued mixed signals regarding early voting, labeling the practice as “stupid.” At his rallies, Vance has encouraged attendees to “legally vote 10 times” by organizing plans to bring nine friends and family members to the polls.
“I don't like the fact that we have gone from Election Day to election season in this country. But it is what it is,” Vance remarked at a rally in Detroit on Tuesday. “If Democrats are going to take advantage of every avenue to vote, then Republicans, we've got to do it too so get out there, make your voice heard, and get out there and vote.”
Vance has also directed attendees to visit “SwampTheVote.com,” which provides information on how to request a ballot, check registration, and vote early. This has become a new element of his speeches at recent rallies.
Walz frequently encourages his supporters with the saying “all gas, no brake,” aiming to energize organizers and motivate voters to register.
This is Walz’s second solo trip to the Southwest since assuming his role as Harris’ running mate, with the campaign striving to engage Latino and Native American voters in this highly competitive state. Harris faces the particular challenge of winning over Latino men in the final push of the campaign.
During Vance's last visit to Arizona, the Ohio Republican remarked that John McCain would likely not support Harris if he were alive today, following his son’s endorsement of her. Vance also pointed out that while Trump lost Arizona, “there were some problems” and made light of uncounted ballots in Maricopa County, eliciting smiles from the audience.
“We lost Arizona — 10,000 votes was the difference between Arizona going for Donald Trump,” Vance stated at a rally in Phoenix in September, while urging people to ensure they vote by Nov. 5. “10,000 votes stand between us and getting those Arizona electoral votes.”
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
