Kamala Harris returns to Arizona two weeks after border visit — but pivots to abortion

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Vice President Kamala Harris urged Arizona voters Thursday to support a state ballot measure that would make abortion “a fundamental right” — but made no mention of immigration in her second trip to the border state in two weeks. 

“Arizona, we need to fight this battle on every front,” the Democratic nominee said of reproductive rights. “And in this election, you have the chance on the state level to vote yes on Proposition 139 and protect your right to make your own health care decisions.” 

Prop. 139 will appear on Arizona ballots in November after garnering more than 500,000 verified signatures of support and clearing a legal challenge that went to the state Supreme Court in August. 

The initiative benefitted from a surge in support after the state Supreme Court in April lifted a stay on a near-total abortion ban that was enacted in 1864. The Civil-War era law was repealed last month. 

“And then when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” Harris added. 

Notably absent from the vice president’s remarks were any references to the crisis on the southern border or her proposed plan to tackle the surge in illegal border-crossings under her watch. 

Harris, 59, made her first visit to the US-Mexico border as the Democratic presidential nominee on Sept. 27 –  touring a section of the border wall in Cochise County.

Later that day, Harris pledged “further action to keep the border closed between ports of entry,” including stiffening penalties for border-crossers repeatedly caught sneaking into the US and denying asylum to anyone crossing between ports of entry. 

“The United States is a sovereign nation, and I believe we have a duty to set rules at our border and to enforce them,” the vice president said last month – a message that was not a part of her pitch to 7,000 raucous supporters Thursday. 

Harris’ stop in Arizona is part of her campaign’s aggressive play for the swing state, which is largely considered a toss-up and has 11 electoral votes up for grabs in November. 

The rally’s location – the Gila River Indian Community – was a nod to the emphasis on the Native American vote this cycle. 

“I strongly believe that the relationship between tribal nations in the United States is sacred, and that we must honor tribal sovereignty, embrace our trust and treaty obligations and ensure tribal self-determination,” Harris said.  

“It is my promise as president of the United States I will defend those principles, always,” she added. 

Prior to Harris’ remarks, Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis argued that “the native vote has never been more important,” dubbing it the “native wall” in swing states he believes will help secure the presidency for Harris. 

Polling in the Grand Canyon State reflects the tight race, as the latest RealClearPolitics average of surveys  has former President Donald Trump leading by less than a percentage point.

Harris also invoked “the late, great John McCain” during her speech, recalling the time the Arizona Republican senator casted the decisive no vote during a 2017 push to repeal the Affordable Care Act. 

“I’ll never forget that night,” Harris, a former senator from California, said. 

“It was like out of a movie,” she added. “The wooden doors broke open and John McCain came walking into the well of the United States Senate and said, ‘No, you don’t.’” 

The anecdote provided Harris an easy segue into an attack against Trump over his opposition to the Affordable Care Act. 

With early voting kicking off in Arizona earlier this week, both campaigns are in full force in the state. 

Former President Trump is expected to visit Prescott Valley on Sunday, and Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held dueling rallies in Tucson on Wednesday.

Temperatures reached 104 degrees in Chandler Thursday and several rally-goers received medical assistance inside the sweltering indoor events center. 

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