‘I’m just really happy:’ Arizonans eager to be part of Harris’ historic campaign

Democratic Presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris held a massive rally in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday. The event left attendees with a feeling they hadn’t gotten from political discourse in a long time: joy.

“I’m just really happy to be out here supporting Harris,” said Kim Wilson, a north Phoenix resident who attended the rally. “This election is incredibly important—and especially these last few weeks, we’ve seen such a surge of energy to the campaign and to Harris and Walz, and I was really excited to come see them in person and be part of the crowd.”

Wilson was one of over 15,000 people who made their way to the Desert Diamond Arena, where crowds sang, danced, and cheered as they listened to speeches from various political figures. In addition to rousing remarks from Harris, the lineup included her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, US Rep. Ruben Gallego, US Sen. Mark Kelly, former congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and mayors Kate Gallego, Corey Woods, and John Giles.

Speeches were often interrupted by thunderous applause. At one point during Walz’s speech, the crowd broke out into a chant of “lock him up,” parodying a call from years past to arrest Hillary Clinton by supporters of former President Donald Trump—who in fact has been convicted of 34 felonies and is awaiting sentencing on September 18, when he could in fact be locked up.

“No,” Walz said to the crowd. “Better yet, beat the hell out of him at the ballot box!”

More than ‘against Trump’

Before Harris launched her campaign, the presidential election was expected to be decided by “double hater” voters—people tired of Trump and President Joe Biden—many of whom were more inclined against one candidate rather than in support of the other.

Harris seems to have sparked a change, especially with voters not interested in a rerun of 2020. Josh White, a Sedona resident who traveled nearly two hours to hear Harris speak, had not planned to vote before Biden stepped down.

“I was an undecided voter. Today, I’m all in—and I’m a donor,” said White. “That kind of says it all. [My enthusiasm] kind of went from a zero to a ten.”

White said the main issue that steered his voting choice was protecting democracy from a potential dictatorship; others in the crowd pointed to Harris’ stance on reproductive rights, gun reform, her work as a prosecutor, and the opportunity to someone who they feel better represents them as a person.

But the throughline they all shared was joy.

“With so much energy, and positivity, and joy, and people smiling and laughing, and the candidates are smiling and laughing and enjoying the process, and calling things what it is—you know, calling out the lies,” said Rodney Smith, a voter from Gilbert. “I like that.”

Jessica Swarner and Robert Gundran contributed to this report.