Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made history on Saturday when he became the first--and only--political candidate to speak on Native Lands just ten days before Election Day.
Gov. Walz was invited to Arizona to speak in the capital of Window Rock in the Navajo Nation. Earlier this month, "Coach" Walz spent time with the Gila River Indian Community, just south of Phoenix.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren told local KJZZ News on Friday that his staff has been fact-checking whether such a candidate has ever stopped to visit the 27,000-square-mile reservation along the campaign trail. “We can’t find it. Tomorrow is historic,” Nygren said. “That just means that Navajo matters when it comes to the vote.”
Nygren and Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya are among more than 70 tribal leaders backing the Harris-Walz ticket in their personal capacity. Arizona Democratic Party tribal campaign officials had extended the invitation amid concerns about losing such a key voting bloc in the battleground state.
Gov. Walz was joined by Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), who spoke about the Vice Presidential nominee's long record of public service, from his time in the National Guard to his years of being a high school teacher and football coach. Ruben Gallego, the Democratic candidate for Senate running against MAGA Republican Kari Lake, also spoke as part of their campaign sweep through the Grand Canyon State.
Later on Saturday, Gov. Walz was set to speak at a get-out-the-vote rally in Phoenix where he'll be joined by comedian George Lopez and political commentator Ana Navarro.