Hillary Clinton Sending Michelle Obama and Other Top Surrogates to Campaign in Arizona
The Clinton camp will send Michelle Obama and other top surrogates there.
— -- With just about three weeks to go before the election, the Clinton camp is stepping up its efforts in Arizona.
During a press call today, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook announced that the campaign’s top surrogate, First Lady Michelle Obama, will campaign in the traditionally red state on Thursday.
Chelsea Clinton and Bernie Sanders are also scheduled to campaign there this week.
In addition, Mook said, the campaign is increasing its TV ad buy and mail advertising in Arizona by $2 million. This is in addition to a six-figure ad buy the campaign announced in the Grand Canyon State in early September.
So far, Clinton has no plans to travel to the state herself; however, Mook told reporters, “We certainly hope to get her there.”
“Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric and deeply disrespectful remarks about Sen. John McCain have made Arizona more competitive,” Mook explained. “This is a state that would really foreclose a path for Donald Trump to win the White House.”
Hillary Clinton's husband Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to carry the state in 1996.
The campaign’s increased focus on Arizona is part of its overall strategy to go after Republican-leaning states with voters who appear to be turned off by Trump.
The campaign has also developed a strong field organization in Utah. And it also now appears to be testing the waters in Texas.
An aide to Hillary Clinton confirmed to ABC News that the campaign has purchased a small, one-week ad buy in the Lone Star State.
The ad uses Hillary Clinton's endorsement by The Dallas Morning News -- which hasn't endorsed a Democrat since before WWII -- to make the case for her candidacy. It will air in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and on digital platforms.