J.D. Vance paints picture of migrant-driven crises in Mesa campaign stop with Charlie Kirk

Sen. J.D. Vance, appearing in Arizona for the third time since he was picked as former President Donald Trump's running mate, painted a picture of migrant-linked social ills posing a threat to peaceful Arizona neighborhoods, families and affordability.

Vance spent the lion's share of his hour-long conversation with conservative personality Charlie Kirk criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as Kirk guided the GOP vice presidential nominee from Ohio through familiar talking points around immigration and the economy.

The two argued that Harris had put the interests of "foreigners" over Americans and had "taken safety away from our kids."

"I want my kids to grow up in a country where our neighborhoods are safe enough that they can make a mistake without it taking their life," Vance said. "I want them to be able to deal with their childhood mistakes, and with their problems, and with their sins, at church, instead of having it destroy them."

Data on crime is less straightforward. According to recent reports from federal authorities, Arizona has seen upswings in certain areas, such as a spike in motor vehicle theft. But overall, as of late 2023, both violent and property crimes were on the decline.

Still, the topic dominated Vance and Kirk's discussion and, polling suggests, it is resonating with wide swaths of the electorate.

"The very rich and privileged people in this country," Vance said, "can afford private security. And they can afford to send their kids to school wherever they want to.

"You know who can't afford it? The gross majority of American citizens."

Harris' campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.

Christian, family values a throughline of event

Ahead of Vance's remarks, wailing electric guitars, thumping bass, and swirling red, white, and blue strobe lights warmed up the audience of hundreds at Generation Church in east Mesa.

Ryan Visconti, a pastor at Generation Church, was the first speaker. He railed against the "failed social experiment of secularization" and quoted a psalm: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

He said the status quo on the issues of abortion and immigration amounts to "attempted mass execution" and an "invasion."

"Don't let anyone tell you that you need to keep your faith out of politics," Visconti said. "We need God front and center in everything we do."

Visconti has spoken out against same-sex marriage and came out in support of Arizona's near-total, territorial-era ban on abortion before it was repealed.

U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake also helped introduce Vance and Kirk onstage. She said as the youngest of nine children, she was glad her mother was pro-life, and cited statistics on the rising price of housing to argue it's "getting hard to live the American Dream."

"We've got God on our side," Lake said. "Just as he was with Moses, and just as he was with David when he took down Goliath … he is with each and every one of us today."

Kirk, an internet personality and Trump ally, once promoted a "secular worldview," but in recent years has promoted the role of Christian values in shaping U.S. politics.

He raised a recent report which found that federal immigration officials have been unable to keep track of all unaccompanied minors released from government custody. That should push Christians to pick the Republican ticket, Kirk argued.

"We, as Christians, must care about the children. It's so clear in the scripture, that says: 'It is better for you to have a millstone hung around your neck and thrown into the sea, than to go after one of these little ones,'" Kirk said.

"It is hard to believe. But this is what our government leaders have done," Vance agreed.

Turning Point's political wing hosted Wednesday's event, which was entitled "Chase the Vote at the Church."

The event also promoted Turning Point's get-out-the-vote operation, an effort the Trump campaign has leaned on heavily as its own ground game in Arizona got off to a slower start compared to Democrats.

Two thousand people attended Wednesday's event, including the crowd overflow, according to Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet.

Democrats seize on abortion issue

In a morning news conference on Sept. 4, Democrats focused exclusively on the issue of abortion rights. The topic is expected to drive Democratic turnout amid GOP-led restrictions on the procedure in states including Arizona.

They highlighted Trump's role in appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the landmark case Roe v. Wade and highlighted the former president's recent statement that he would vote against an abortion rights ballot measure in Florida.

Arizona Democratic Party chair Yolanda Bejarano said Florida's current six-week abortion ban was "so extreme it will apply to women before they even know they are pregnant."

"That is exactly the vision J.D. Vance has for all of America," Bejarano said.

Vance prioritizing Arizona on campaign trail

Vance has now made several stops in Arizona since being named Trump’s running mate in mid-July.

He made a two-day swing through the Grand Canyon State one month ago, holding a rally in Glendale and visiting Arizona’s border with Mexico.

Vance was also scheduled to deliver remarks Sept. 5 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.

Turning Point’s political wing hosted the Sept. 4 event. Registration was required online, and tickets were available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: J.D. Vance paints picture of migrant-driven crises in Mesa campaign stop with Charlie Kirk