Kamala Harris Takes Action on Border Security to Secure Arizona for Dems

Vice President Kamala Harris is actively shaping her stance on border security, taking a path that is distinct from President Biden’s. This strategic move allows her to engage voters on her own terms, highlighting her record as California’s attorney general and presenting herself as a tough-on-crime candidate.

Last Friday, Harris joined her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to rally over 15,000 supporters in Glendale, Arizona. This turnout underscores the enthusiasm from the Democratic base in a state that has seen a significant political shift in recent years.

Former President Donald Trump aims to leverage immigration as a rallying point to win back voters who are dissatisfied with Biden’s handling of the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border. For Harris, Biden’s decision not to pursue a second term offers her the chance to address border issues without the constraints of his administration’s policies.

The political dynamics surrounding immigration are shifting. With Harris stepping into the spotlight, she is tackling border security head-on, an issue that has become increasingly important to voters across party lines. As immigration continues to be a pressing concern, Harris is focusing on her history of prosecuting drug cartels and tackling human trafficking during her tenure as California’s attorney general.

Her ads emphasize her commitment to reinforcing border security with measures such as increasing the number of border patrol agents. This effort aligns with recent trends showing a decline in illegal border crossings. In July, only 57,000 apprehensions were recorded, marking the lowest monthly figure of Biden’s presidency and a significant drop from the 250,000 apprehensions seen in December 2022.

Although the Trump campaign continues to criticize Harris, attempting to link her to Biden’s administration, whether these attacks will be effective remains uncertain. Notably, Harris was never officially designated as a “border czar,” but was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration from Central America.

Arizona, a state with a long history of conservative dominance, is no longer guaranteed to lean Republican. Biden’s 2020 victory in Arizona marked the first time since 1996 that the state backed a Democratic presidential nominee. The once-deep Republican roots are being challenged, with Democrats currently holding both U.S. Senate seats and the Governor’s office.

Recent political shifts suggest that Trump cannot take Arizona for granted. The Cook Political Report has reclassified key battlegrounds like Arizona and Nevada from “lean Republican” to a “tossup” status. This change highlights Harris’s effectiveness in mobilizing Democratic base support while also reaching out to independent and undecided voters.

As of July, independent voters make up nearly 34% of Arizona’s electorate, slightly overshadowing Republicans at 35%, while Democrats hold 29%. Given this landscape, Trump’s traditional base support may not be enough for a successful campaign.

Furthermore, Harris has begun to challenge Trump on his stance against a bipartisan border security measure supported by Biden, indicating that such a position could alienate independent voters and those seeking a practical immigration solution.

For Harris, maintaining her competitiveness in Arizona is crucial. It not only strengthens her potential victory path but also allows her to gain ground in the race for the 11 electoral votes at stake. While she can still secure the presidency without Arizona, a loss in the state would be a significant setback for Trump. His previous wins in Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada, which contributed to his 2020 defeat, highlight the importance of never underestimating these battleground states.

If Harris manages to nullify the border security issue, a task that seemed daunting with Biden as the nominee, it could provide a significant advantage in winning Arizona.