Vice President Kamala Harris and her new running mate made a stop in Arizona as part of their tour of battleground states, visiting a state where Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over a prominent Democrat. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and advocate for gun control, had been a top contender for the running mate position.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump visited Montana for a rally supporting Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. Trump hopes to address previous unfinished business from 2018 when his attempts to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in Big Sky Country were unsuccessful.
Stay up to date with AP’s Election 2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.
Read on for the latest updates:
Rally Attendees Praise Harris’ Stances on Gun Safety and Reproductive Rights
Democratic and independent voters in Arizona expressed enthusiasm over Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech on Friday.
Phyllis Zeno, a 65-year-old grandmother from Maricopa, was pleased to hear Harris’ message of unity and her policy positions, particularly on health care and reproductive rights.
“Her message conveyed hope and renewed faith in democracy that we can make a difference,” Zeno said.
Jen Duran, a 37-year-old mother and independent voter, appreciated Harris’ commitment to fighting for reproductive rights and gun safety measures.
“As a mother of an elementary school daughter, safety for our kids is a top priority,” Duran said.
Harris Advocates for Border Security and Immigration Reform in Arizona
Vice President Kamala Harris leveraged her background as a prosecutor to present her comprehensive immigration plan to voters in a campaign rally in Arizona.
Harris, a former attorney general of California, highlighted her efforts in targeting transnational gangs, drug cartels, and smugglers during her time as a law enforcement official.
“I prosecuted them in case after case, and I emerged victorious,” Harris told a crowd of over 15,000 in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix. “I know what needs to be done.”
Harris endorsed a border security bill negotiated by a bipartisan group of senators earlier this year, a bill that was ultimately rejected by Republican lawmakers at the urging of former President Donald Trump.
“Donald Trump is not genuinely committed to solving this issue,” Harris stated. “He talks a big game about border security, but his actions don’t match his words.”
Harris Urges Gaza Protesters to Pursue Cease-fire Deal
During a campaign rally in Arizona, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed Gaza protesters who interrupted her speech.
“Please give me a moment,” she said on Friday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Harris emphasized the necessity of reaching a cease-fire agreement to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in numerous casualties in Gaza. She reassured protesters that she and President Joe Biden are diligently working towards achieving that goal.
“I hear your voices, but at this moment, let’s concentrate on the 2024 race,” Harris stated.
Her response varied from an earlier incident this week when Gaza protesters disrupted her rally in the Detroit area, to which she responded by continuing her speech.
Trump’s Plane Diverted on the Way to Montana Rally
Donald Trump’s plane was redirected en route to Bozeman, Montana, due to a mechanical issue but safely landed at the Billings airport, as confirmed by a staff member at the airport.
The former president was heading to Bozeman for a Friday night rally in support of Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.
Upon landing, Trump posted a video expressing his delight at being in Montana without mentioning the plane diversion.
Republicans Request Supreme Court Involvement in Arizona Voter Registration Dispute
National and state Republicans are seeking Supreme Court intervention in a legal battle over voter registration restrictions imposed in Arizona in 2022 following President Biden’s narrow victory in the state in 2020. In an emergency appeal filed on Thursday, Republicans are urging the justices to enforce provisions that mandate the rejection of certain voter registration forms that lack proof of citizenship while the lawsuit is ongoing.
After a lower court blocked a requirement for voter registration forms to be accompanied by citizenship documents, Republicans are also pushing for a measure that would prevent individuals from voting in presidential elections or by mail without proving their U.S. citizenship. Federal law does not mandate proof of citizenship for federal elections or mail voting, although voters must affirm their citizenship.
The Supreme Court is not expected to act until late August.
Mitch McConnell Confident in GOP Candidate Quality for Senate Races
Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell is optimistic about the GOP’s chances of winning a majority in the upcoming elections due to the party’s focus on nominating strong candidates. Speaking at “The Gathering,” an event hosted by radio personality Erick Erickson, McConnell emphasized the importance of candidate quality in competitive Senate elections.
McConnell highlighted past instances where GOP candidates failed to appeal to voters in competitive states, without explicitly naming those candidates. He referenced the unsuccessful 2022 Senate nominee Herschel Walker, who lost to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, contrasting that with the party’s recent successes in other statewide elections.
With only two additional seats needed to secure a majority in the Senate, McConnell stressed the importance of winning to serve as a safeguard against potential policy shifts.
Mike Pence Declines to Endorse Trump or Harris; Criticizes GOP Direction
Vice President Mike Pence confirmed that he will not be endorsing any presidential candidates in the current race, expressing dissatisfaction with some of the actions and statements of former President Donald Trump. Pence cited his commitment to upholding his oath to the Constitution and his reluctance to overturn the 2020 election results as factors influencing his decision.
Pence acknowledged his friendship with Trump and the challenges surrounding the conclusion of their administration. However, he criticized the direction the Republican Party has taken under Trump, particularly concerning tariffs, foreign policy, and abortion views.
Pence described the current GOP identity as “populism unanchored to conservative principles,” expressing concerns over the party’s policy priorities.
Ron DeSantis Questions Validity of Harris-Walz Candidacy
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis raised doubts about the legitimacy of Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s candidacy, describing it as a manufactured phenomenon created by biased media outlets.
DeSantis criticized the media for exaggerating Democratic enthusiasm following President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Harris. He specifically targeted Walz, portraying him as a leftist masquerading as a moderate with Midwestern values.
While criticizing Walz’s governance during the pandemic, DeSantis expressed skepticism about the impact of vice-presidential candidates in shaping the election outcome.
