PHOENIX — Vice President Mike Pence visited Arizona on Tuesday to accept an endorsement from the Arizona Association of Police, according to the White House.
The vice president went to Tucson for the endorsement and is expected to tout the administration's support for law enforcement.
After his visit to Tucson, the vice president participated in a Latter-day Saints for Trump Coalition rollout in Mesa, after which he returned to Washington D.C.
The visit has been criticized by the Arizona Democratic Party. The party released a statement after his visit was announced that said his visit won't distract Arizonans from how the administration has handled the coronavirus pandemic.
"These cheap political stunts won’t distract Arizonans from Donald Trump’s disastrous mismanagement of the coronavirus crisis, which has hurt millions of Arizonans and left our most vulnerable communities in the dust," Arizona Democratic Party spokesman Matt Grodsky said.
The visit also drew a response from the Biden Campaign, who President Donald Trump has repeatedly falsely accused of wishing to defund police stations.
"More than 187,000 Arizonans have been infected, and more than three hundred thousand Arizonans are out of work as a result," Biden for President Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said.
"Now, as our kids and educators head back to school, President Trump and Vice President Pence have again failed by not offering a concrete plan for a safe reopening, risking the safety of Arizona families."
UPDATES:
4:45 p.m.
Air Force Two took off from Phoenix, headed back to Washington D.C.
3 p.m.
Vice President Pence spoke to the LDS group of Trump supporters. There were about 275 people gathered, practicing physical distancing.
Pence learned of Joe Biden's running mate decision--Kamala Harris--before the event, and spoke about the decision.
"I have one message for Harris: Welcome to the race, and I’ll see you in Salt Lake City.”
Salt Lake City will host the vice presidential debate later in the fall.
2:45 p.m.
Senator Martha McSally and Governor Doug Ducey spoke to the "Latter-Day Saints for Trump" group before Pence was slated to speak.
1:30 p.m.
Air Force Two landed in Phoenix.
1 p.m.
Pence brings Trump's "law and order" push to Arizona
Vice President Mike Pence has brought the Trump campaign’s tough-on-crime re-election message to Arizona.
The Republican told a group of law enforcement officers at a Tuesday campaign rally in Tucson that Democrats will undermine law and order if they win the November elections.
He then headed Mesa to launch the campaign’s outreach efforts to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Trump and Democrat Joe Biden have both focused heavily on Arizona, which is turning into a swing state after decades of GOP dominance.
Trump won Arizona by 3.5 points in 2016.
The report above was filed by the Associated Press.
11 a.m.
Law enforcement event held in Tucson
10:40 a.m.
Gov. Doug Ducey greets Vice President Pence
This is a developing story. Tune into 12 News for the latest details.