ARIZONA, United States — Supporters of Republican former President Donald Trump are optimistic that their party will regain the swing state of Arizona on Election Day in the United States.

Speaking with Observer Online on Saturday at the “Too Big to Rig” Trump Freedom Ride Event in Morristown, Arizona they emphasised the importance of border protection.

“I think Kari Lake (Republican nominee in the 2024 US Senate election in Arizona) is a big thing that we need. I also believe that this whole border situation needs to really come under control, because I think allowing a lot of the immigrants coming over here is going to cause an issue with this election,” Lisa Rounds, a Republican supporter said.

Her friends Scott Allen and Amberlie Forrester credited Trump for boosting the economy.

“Our nation was safer, prosperous, wealthier and we didn’t have wars, everybody was better off,” said Allen.

“The border needs to be secure and we know that he will secure our borders. Keep crimes down and boost the economy,” said Forrester.

Rounds reiterated her view that immigration is a major issue in the US.

“I think Trump did an amazing job when he was in office. Our economy was in a whole lot better situation. Our borders didn’t have a problem like we do now,” she said.

Arizona, which was once considered a red state — the term used to describe a state that traditionally votes Republican — has become a swing state and in 2020 went blue (Democrats) for the first time since Bill Clinton in 1996. There are 4.9 million registered voters in Arizona.

US Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party candidate, in recent days held several rallies in Arizona to drum up support for her campaign.

— Kasey Williams