Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, addressed the Native vote during a rally on Friday evening at the Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix, where she spoke to a crowd of over 15,000 supporters. Harris emphasized her commitment to tribal sovereignty and self-determination, stating, “I will always honor tribal sovereignty and respect tribal self-determination and fight for a future where every Native person can realize their aspirations, and every Native community is a place of opportunity.”
This speech marked her most significant outreach to Native voters since she launched her presidential campaign nearly three weeks following President Joe Biden’s announcement to withdraw from the race. The importance of the Native vote was highlighted in her remarks, particularly given Arizona’s recognition of 22 federally acknowledged tribes, including a significant portion of the Navajo Nation.
The Harris campaign recognizes the need to secure the Native vote, especially since Biden won Arizona in the 2020 election by a narrow margin of three-tenths of a percent or 10,457 votes, a victory that was attributed in part to strong support from Native voters, who reported up to 90% backing for Biden in some areas.
At the rally, Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis expressed his support for Harris as Biden’s replacement on the Democratic ticket, underscoring her dedication to tribal issues and declaring her the right choice for the presidency at this time.
Harris’ call to honor tribal sovereignty reflects the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to a government-to-government relationship with tribal nations since taking office. Issues related to tribal sovereignty consistently rank as top priorities for Native Americans in polling.
Harris and her vice-presidential pick, Governor Tim Walz, are engaged in a tour of key swing states. Prior to Phoenix, they held rallies in Philadelphia, Eau Claire, and Detroit, all attracting large audiences. Their campaign will continue with a rally scheduled in Las Vegas later tonight.