Presidential candidates, surrogates descend on battleground Arizona

(The Center Square) – Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz chose battleground state Arizona to campaign in the hours before Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump’s debate.

Landing in Phoenix around 11 a.m., Walz visited a coffee shop to speak to Arizona State University students where he focused on initiating voter turnout among young voters, highlighting how Democratic policies would support personal freedoms. This event was live streamed by C-Span.

“We’re going to make the future what we want it to be,” Walz said. “We’re going to make sure that this is an inclusive country that values each and every one of us in our contributions and more than anything… freedom. Freedom means you make decisions about your healthcare. Freedom means you go to school without being shot dead in the halls. Freedom means you think about the type of family you want in the future… and freedom means protecting this planet so it’s there for you.”

Walz again tied Trump and vice presidential candidate JD Vance to Project 2025, a set of conservative policy proposals that includes greater abortion restrictions. He said that under his and Harris’ leadership, a woman’s right to abortion will be fundamental and his message to Vance is: “Pro-tip: shut the hell up about women. They don’t need your help.”

Trump has repeatedly denied any link to Project 2025.

Walz then visited a campaign office in Phoenix with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs where he spoke mostly about the economy - a topic he said Harris would be focusing on during Tuesday night’s debate.

“We’re going to hear her talk about an economy that is an opportunity economy where everybody matters,” Walz said. “The Biden-Harris administration created over 300,000 jobs in energy last year alone.”

Finally, just minutes before the debate began, Walz made a speech that was live streamed by PBS to remind Arizonans that voter turnout is of the utmost importance as they are a battleground state, with candidates polling neck to neck.

He said that the Harris-Walz administration will be tackling issues important to Arizonans such as affordable collegiate education, accessible healthcare, home ownership, prescription drug costs and the costs of groceries. Walz noted that instead of focusing on immigration to fix the economy, they will be looking at price gouging.

He said that all Arizonans have to do is watch the debate to see the difference between Harris and Trump.

“Kamala Harris has brought back the joy and optimism of this [politics]. She’s taking on the fraudsters. She is taking on the criminals. The contrast between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could not be clearer.”

Walz is just one of many tied to presidential campaigns planning to stump in Arizona. Following the debate, Trump will be holding a rally in Tucson at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall at 2 p.m where he will "deliver remarks on our struggling economy and the rising cost of housing."

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be in Tucson the same day campaigning for Harris’ New Way Forward battleground state tour. The time and location of Emhoff’s appearance have not yet been released.