Arizona at the RNC: Kari Lake and more represent the swing state
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Signage seen at the first day of the RNC. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee Monday with Arizona well represented.
Why it matters: Arizona is one of six swing states expected to determine the presidential election, and it's the poster child for two of Republicans' top attacks against President Biden: immigration and inflation.
- Former President Trump's campaign has used Arizona's front-row seat to the immigration crisis and high inflation rates to fire up local voters and paint a cautionary tale for undecided voters across the country.
Zoom in: Three of the 24 "Everyday Americans" invited to speak at the RNC this week are from Arizona, according to organizers.
- Jim Chilton, a fifth-generation rancher from Arivaca, will discuss his experiences living along the border.
- David Lara, a business owner and board member of the Yuma Union High School District, will share "the negative impacts of illegal immigration" on his community.
- Sara Workman, a single mother who recently moved to Arizona from California, will detail how she "struggles to make ends meet in Joe Biden's economy."
Between the lines: U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, an ardent Trump supporter once eyed as his potential running mate, will also speak at the convention.
The intrigue: Arizona's convention delegates, who joined others from across the country to formally declare Trump the Republican nominee for president Monday, include three of the indicted fake electors who submitted votes falsely asserting that Trump won Arizona in 2020.
- A Maricopa County Superior Court judge had to grant permission for Nancy Cottle and state Sens. Jake Hoffman and Anthony Kern to travel to Wisconsin for the convention, CNN reported.
What we're watching: The convention is expected to look and sound entirely different than originally planned as the nation grapples with Saturday's assassination attempt.
- Trump advisers tell Axios he plans to seize his moment by toning down his Trumpiness and dialing up efforts to unite a tinder-box America.