Rep. Ruben Gallego, Sen. Mark Kelly, Gabby Giffords and actress Sophia Bush arrived in Tempe for a "Fighting for Reproductive Freedom" bus tour stop at ASU just a day before Election Day. More than 100 students listened to the political figures speak on reproductive care, Project 2025 and the college vote on Monday.
Sun Devils for Harris, a student organization that hosts events with the Harris-Walz campaign, arranged a tent near the Memorial Union, where they handed out campaign memorabilia while students waited for the speakers.
The organization has welcomed political figures to the Tempe campus throughout the election season, such as Vice President Kamala Harris' sister, Maya Harris, and Rep. Maxwell Frost.
"All of them being on campus, it really brings it down to Earth, and it's like these are people who represent us and who want the best for the country," Zach Gossett, a senior studying psychology, said.
Kelly spoke on climate change, reproductive rights and how the Gen Z voting population is a critical demographic to spark change.
"It's going to affect everything for you for decades, not just for these four years," Kelly said. "The president makes decisions that have long, lasting consequences. Now, you guys might not believe this, but the impact that young people are going to have this election is greater than any other election."
Students showed their support for Kelly and Gifford's efforts to work with the Harris-Walz campaign this election season.
"Abortion access is a huge part of why it's so critical to vote blue this election," Lana Tilke, a graduate student studying astrophysics, said. "I really resonate with Mark Kelly and his efforts in this campaign cycle because I truly believe there's a lot of reason to have hope, and hope is a key part of the Harris campaign, and I'm feeling it."
Gallego ended the event with a speech. He said young people promote change within the government, and they need to "light that candle one more time."
"It was young people that were on the front lines and making sure that politicians were there for women's rights and LGBT rights," Gallego said. "Everything that has gone well in this country in terms of moving towards justice has been started not by politicians. It's been started by people your age."
Edited by Sophia Ramirez, Abigail Beck and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at gheadle@asu.edu and @George_Headley7 on X.
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George is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication. This is his third semester with The State Press. He has also worked at Times Media Group.
