Listen to JazzPHX
News of the day, behind the scenes and more!
Listen live weekdays at 9 a.m.
Joe Biden, Kamala Harris Make First Campaign Visit To Arizona
Los Angeles Times/Pool
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris appear together at Sky Harbor Airport prior to their campaign events in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2020.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, made their first visit of the campaign to Arizona.
After paying their respects at the American Indian Veterans National Memorial at the Heard Museum, Biden and Harris spoke to a small crowd at a local carpenters union in Phoenix.
Biden criticized Trump for abandoning negotiations for a new coronavirus stimulus package, aid Biden said could help small businesses struggling to stay afloat in Arizona.
"How many more have to go under? How many more dreams have to be extinguished because this president threw in the towel? Instead of focusing on your needs, he’s still trying to take away your health care," Biden said.
The event was the first stop of a bus tour of Arizona. Later that afternoon, Biden and Harris visited Barrio Cafe in Phoenix with Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza.
Esparza is battling a terminal illness while also trying to keep Barrio Cafe open during the pandemic. She’s shared her story in two bilingual Biden campaign ads.
In his speech at the carpenter’s union, Biden highlighted her struggles as an example of President Donald Trump’s failure to respond appropriately to the pandemic.
“Nine times more Arizonans are on unemployment each week than before this crisis,” Biden said. “Businesses like Silvana’s restaurant are closing, schools aren’t back to normal, because Donald Trump can’t focus on what matters.”
Biden and Harris are scheduled to visit Yuma and Tucson on Friday.
