barack obama phoenix visit

Former President Barack Obama coming to Phoenix for Democratic rally

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - Former President Barack Obama is heading to Phoenix to campaign with Arizona Democrats. President Obama will join Senator Mark Kelly, and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs for a Get Out the Vote Rally.

The rally will be in Phoenix on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. The location has yet to be determined.

TRENDING: Maricopa County animal shelter temporarily closed due to potential disease outbreak

Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.

Latest News

Arizona law shows attempts by Republicans to stop illegal voting, but voting by noncitizens remains rare

Maricopa County recorder candidate says GOP opponent is untrustworthy

Justice Department urges Phoenix to agree to consent decree deal

New polls show Kari Lake falling behind in the Arizona senate race

Man keeps getting unwanted ‘Chillin’ like a felon’ Trump shirts in mail: ‘I did not order these’

Arizona Corporation Commission facing lawsuit over discrimination and retaliation claims

Prosecutors in Arizona’s ‘fake electors’ case dispute allegations of political motive

Prosecutors in Arizona's 'fake electors' case defend indictment

Former President Obama Campaigns for Arizona Democrats in Phoenix

Former President Barack Obama spoke at a campaign rally in Phoenix for Arizona Democrats, including Secretary of State Katie Hobbs , the Democratic nominee for governor, and Senator Mark Kelly .

• Campaign 2024 C-SPAN

Javascript must be enabled in order to access C-SPAN videos.

• Text type Text People Graphical Timeline
• Filter by Speaker All Speakers Gabrielle Giffords Katie Hobbs Mark E. Kelly Barack Obama
• Search this text

*This text was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

People in this video

Hosting Organization

• Mission for Arizona Mission for Arizona
• Campaign 2022

Airing Details

Related video.

President Biden and Former President Obama Campaign for Pennsylvania Democrats in Philadelphia

President Biden and former President Obama campaigned for Pennsylvania U.S. Senate nominee John Fetterman (D) and gubern…

First Lady Jill Biden Campaigns with Senator Mark Kelly

First lady Jill Biden campaigned with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in Phoenix. She said, “What you do on November 8 will no…

Arizona Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Hobbs Campaigns in Phoenix

Arizona’s 2022 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Katie Hobbs met with voters in campaign stops at a market and at a house…

Arizona State of the State Address

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) made the State of the State address in Phoenix. He acknowledged the January 6, 2021, vio…

User Created Clips from This Video

User Clip: Former President Obama Campaigns for Arizona Democrats in Phoenix

Campaign 2022 - Katie Hobbs

User Clip: Hobbs on Lake

Barack Obama joins Arizona Democrats in Phoenix to motivate voters

Former president obama, who lost arizona twice, voiced support for katie hobbs, mark kelly and other democrats on the state ballot this year at high school not far from asu.

Former President Barack Obama, Arizona Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs, wave to the crowd at Cesar Chavez High School in Laveen, Ariz. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. 

Let him be clear: former President Barack Obama wants Arizonans to vote for Katie Hobbs and Mark Kelly in next week's election.

Obama is on tour in support of other Democrats who are still in tight races as this election cycle comes to a close. He was in Las Vegas Tuesday in support of Nevada's Democratic governor and senate candidates and made visits to Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and other states in the past few weeks. 

He remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic party six years after he left office. His last-minute support comes as recent polls have Republican Kari Lake taking a slight lead over Democrat Hobbs , who is Arizona's secretary of state, in the race for governor. Polls show a close race between Kelly and his opponent, Blake Masters for a seat in the U.S. Senate. 

Obama joined Kelly, Hobbs and other Arizona Democrats Wednesday evening at the sold-out "Get Out the Vote" rally at Cesar Chavez High School in south Phoenix, a little more than 10 miles from ASU's Tempe campus. 

Other people who spoke at the rally included Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, Democratic secretary of state candidate Adrian Fontes , Democratic attorney general candidate Kris Mayes , U.S. House Representative Ruben Gallego, other Arizona Democrats and one Republican, Mesa Mayor John Giles, who has endorsed Hobbs and Kelly .

This is the first time Kelly and Hobbs have shared the stage and the first time since 2015 that Obama visited Arizona. In 2008 and 2012, Obama lost Arizona in the general presidential election by 8.5% and 9.1%, respectively. Democrats lost Arizona in 2016 by 3.6% and barely won in 2020 by .3%. 

Former President Donald Trump campaigned in Arizona for Lake, Masters, secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem and other Republicans five times this election cycle, most recently in Mesa on Oct. 9. At that rally, Trump spoke on familiar topics to Arizona voters: immigration, military aid in Ukraine and the 2020 presidential election results.

At the packed rally Wednesday, the former president brought enthusiasm to the stage after being introduced by Kelly to a loud reaction. Obama said some Republicans are being disingenuous and do not prioritize what people want. He went on the attack against Lake and Masters, and even dug at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying Republicans want to "own the libs" and nothing else.

He then went after the Arizona republicans who deny results from the 2020 election and Lake's push for ineffective treatments for COVID-19.

"Why would you vote for someone you know is not telling the truth?" Obama said.

He also said "democracy is on the ballot" and that it should be a high priority for voters. He endorsed every Democratic candidate in Arizona and said Republican leaders want to take away voting rights.

"When true democracy goes away, people get hurt," Obama said. "We take it for granted."

ASU students made the trip to Laveen to see what Obama had to say and to support candidates on the Democratic ticket. 

"I've loved Obama ever since I was a little kid and as soon as I heard he was coming here I was absolutely stunned," said Hunter Miller, a freshman studying geography. "I immediately signed up, and so far I'm having a great time. I also came here to hear all the other speakers because I believe that what they're saying is important for Arizonans and our democracy."

Miller said he and other students were "engaged" at the rally and called the speakers "extremely" engaging too.

READ MORE: These are all of the polling locations on ASU's four campuses

The candidates were more forceful with their messaging, emphasizing their opponents' denial of the results of the 2020 presidential election and said Republican candidates like Lake, Masters and Finchem, are going to restrict voting and abortion rights in the future.

"Women have lost the right to make their own health care decisions about abortion, so much is at stake in this election," Kelly said.

Obama left the stage with an inspirational message for potential voters as races reach the home stretch.

"The important thing is that we resist the temptation to give up, resist the decision to be cynical and turn inward," Obama said. "When times are tough, there's always been a thread that unites us that is stronger than what divides us."

Election Day is next week on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Early ballots can be dropped off at a voting site drop box or cast in person at any voting place on Election Day.

Edited by Reagan Priest, Piper Hansen and Kristen Apolline Castillo.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] and @shanebrennan36 on Twitter.

Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.

Shane Brennan is the Editor-in-Chief at The State Press. He was a sports and politics reporter, before becoming the editor of the politics desk. He has covered local and state politics for the Arizona Capitol Times and Cronkite News.

• [email protected]

San Francisco 49er and former ASU Sun Devil Ricky Pearsall shot during attempted robbery

ASU football dominates Wyoming in season opener

The Sun Devils leave the 2024 Paris Olympics with nine medals

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy .

Obama roasts GOP 'cast of characters' at Arizona rally for Democrats in tight races

Obama said being governor "is about more than snappy lines and good lighting."

Former President Barack Obama continued his crisscrossing of midterm election battlegrounds Wednesday in Arizona -- hoping to turn out voters so Democrats can hold the Senate and keep election deniers out of office.

"Our democracy is on the ballot, and nowhere is that clearer than here in Arizona," Obama said.

A crowd of thousands, of all ages and races, packed inside Cesar Chavez High School in Laveen Village, held up their phones and stomped their feet as the former president delivered a roast and a warning on what he called the Republican "cast of characters" on the ballot in Arizona.

"They have decided it's advantageous for them to just assert that Donald Trump won the last election, and now they want control over the next election. And their argument has no basis in reality," Obama said. "If you've got an election denier serving as your governor, as your senator, as your secretary of state, as your attorney general, then democracy, as we know it, may not survive in Arizona."

To shore up support, especially for incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, the Democratic nominee for governor, Obama tailored his attack lines to their opponents, Republicans Kari Lake and Blake Masters. Both have former President Donald Trump's endorsement and have echoed his election denialism.

"Why would you vote for somebody who you know is not telling the truth about something? I mean, on something that important. I don't care how nicely they say it. I don't care how poised they are or how well-lit they are," Obama said, referring to Lake's TV appearances.

MORE: Contenders past and present loom over 2022: The Note

For more from ABC News' team of reporters embedded in battleground states, watch "Power Trip" on Hulu , with new episodes on Sunday.

"Power Trip" follows 7 young reporters as they chase down candidates in the lead up to the midterms with George Stephanopoulos guiding them along the way.

Back in May 2016, when Obama was finishing his second term and Lake was still an anchor at a FOX affiliate in Phoenix, Lake interviewed him in Arizona where they discussed Senate Republicans blocking now-Attorney General Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court. "Democracy only works when people play by the rules, where everybody is fair," Obama told her at the time.

The former president said Wednesday he doesn't remember thinking then that "she was the kind of person" to push conspiracies.

"I guess that stuff came later because she found it convenient -- because she thought, 'Well, here's an opportunity to get attention,'" Obama said. "Listen, if we hadn't just elected somebody whose main qualification was being on TV, you can say, 'Maybe give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen?' Well, now we know. It doesn't just work out just because somebody's been on TV. Turns out, being president or governor is about more than snappy lines and good lighting."

The crowd roared.

Notably, Lake contributed to Obama's first presidential campaign and voted for him, but attributes that now to dissatisfaction with the Republican establishment.

MORE: Democrats acting more worried than they're sounding about midterms: The Note

"Katie, she may not be flashy," Obama said of Hobbs before an outspoken attendee disagreed. "She could have been. She just chooses not to be, because she's serious about her work."

Hobbs, who has faced criticism for refusing to debate Lake, has run a low-key campaign when compared to her competitor's large-scale rallies and moderated Q &A events. But Wednesday, she took a jab at Lake in front of her largest audience yet.

"Democracy is the system that sent Barack Obama to the White House, and democracy is the system that will send Kari Lake back to whatever dark corner of the internet she came from," Hobbs said to cheers.

Several Democrats spoke at the rally, including secretary of state candidate Adrian Fontes and attorney general candidate Kris Mayes -- and one lone Republican, Mesa Mayor John Giles, an outspoken Lake critic.

"Kari Lake is playing to an audience of one. I promise you if she's elected, she'll spend more time traveling to Mar-a-Lago than to Mesa," Giles said. "Likewise, Blake Masters wants to go to the Senate to represent two people: One, a billionaire in California, the other, a want-to-be billionaire former president in Florida," he added, referring also to Peter Thiel, a Masters-mega donor.

For his part, Obama said of Masters, "If you were trying to create, in a lab, a wacky Republican politician, it'd look a lot like this guy."

The former president also knocked the 36-year-old conservative and venture capitalist for scrubbing his website after his primary win to soften some of his stances.

"His website had all kinds of lies about how the election was stolen, then after he won the nomination, poof, vanished. Along with his extreme views on abortion, poof," Obama said. "I mean, this guy is supposed to know tech. Does he think like people can't track that?"

Arizona Republicans, meanwhile, were quick to dismiss Obama's visit and note that he never carried Arizona.

"Barack Obama has never won Arizona, and the fact that he is here is a testament to the toxicity of Joe Biden that has rubbed off on Mark Kelly and Katie Hobbs," Republican National Committee spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement. "This election is a referendum on Biden's abject failure on skyrocketing inflation, open borders and violent crime."

Masters also brushed off the former president's criticism of him and has dismissed any notion of a post-primary pivot, likening his website changes to a run-of-the-mill update. He responded by posting a family photo to Twitter, with his wife and three small sons, and saying, "This is what Democrats like Obama think is wacky."

Lake, meanwhile, has countered characterizations of her election denialism to say Democrats have also not conceded elections and have raised doubts in results dating back to 2000.

MORE: Where political heavyweights Biden, Trump and Obama are campaigning ahead of midterms

President Joe Biden, notably, has not visited the Grand Canyon State and has not announced plans to do so, focusing instead on Florida, Maryland, New Mexico and California. But the White House announced Thursday plans for first lady Jill Biden to campaign with Kelly in Phoenix this weekend, the final weekend before Election Day.

At the same time, Biden, Trump and Obama will all be in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a state that has seen razor-thin margins in another Senate race that could determine the balance of power in Congress.

While Obama's appearance could be seen as coming too late since a majority of Arizonans vote early, and early voting ends Friday, voters outside the rally in South Phoenix predicted he's the one to bring more people to the polls.

"I'm hoping he can energize us," Ann Wood of Phoenix told ABC News. "I think every single vote counts. It was so close last time, and I just hope it makes a difference."

"It's never too late," said Nancy Shubert of Sun West City. "As Democrats, we're very, very, very hopeful."

Libby Cathey is one of seven ABC News campaign reporters embedded in battleground states across the country. Watch all the twists and turns of covering the midterm elections every Sunday on Hulu's "Power Trip" with ABC's George Stephanopoulos.

Related Topics

• Barack Obama
• 2024 Elections

Popular Reads

Harris seen as running better campaign: POLL

• Sep 1, 7:00 AM

15 ISIS members killed in US raid: Officials

• Aug 31, 11:00 AM

Tire failure suspected in deadly bus crash

• Sep 1, 1:13 PM

49ers' Ricky Pearsall shot in attempted robbery

• Sep 1, 4:06 PM

Trump charged in Jan. 6 superseding indictment

• Aug 27, 6:25 PM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Former President Obama coming to Arizona to campaign for Katie Hobbs

PHOENIX (KGUN) — With Arizona gubernatorial elections only a week away, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs is pulling out all the stops she can to win.

One of those maneuvers includes bringing former President Barack Obama in to drum up votes.

According to Mission for Arizona , President Obama is expected to speak at a 'Get Out The Vote' rally in Phoenix on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Event planners have scheduled the rally from 4 - 9 p.m.

Per Mission for Arizona, Sen. Mark Kelly will also speak at the rally, along with Hobbs.

——- Caleb Fernández is a digital content producer for KGUN 9 . After earning his bachelor's degree from Penn State in Advertising/Public Relations, Caleb went to New York where he learned production assistance, photography and art direction. Share your story ideas and important issues with Caleb by emailing [email protected] or by connecting on LinkedIn , Instagram , and Twitter .

Report a typo

Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.

Now signed up to receive the headlines newsletter..

• Top Stories
• Listen Live
• ArizonaSports.com

Arizona News

• Arizona Sports
• Arizona Business
• Arizona Votes
• Arizona Immigration
• Arizona Education
• Arizona Health
• Arizona Traffic
• Arizona Weather
• East Valley Youth Violence
• Arizona Technology
• Arizona Wildfires
• Community Spotlight

Sponsored Articles

• Arizona's Morning News
• The Mike Broomhead Show
• The Ramsey Show
• The Chris and Joe Show
• Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos
• The Chad Benson Show
• Complete Lineup
• Silent Witness
• Rosie on the House
• Chew On This
• Data Doctors
• Kim Komando Tech Tips
• On-Air Schedule
• Staff Social Media
• Contests and Events
• Text Alerts
• Everyday Strong

ARIZONA NEWS

Here’s what we know about Barack Obama’s Phoenix rally for Democrats

Nov 1, 2022, 8:48 AM | Updated: 11:32 am

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

BY KTAR.COM

PHOENIX – Details about former President Barack Obama’s rally Wednesday in Phoenix for Arizona Democratic candidates have been released.

The “Arizona Get Out The Vote Rally with President Obama!” event, which was announced on Sunday without a location, will be held at Cesar Chavez High School at 3921 W. Baseline Road in the city’s Laveen neighborhood, the Arizona Democratic Party revealed Tuesday.

Tickets aren’t required for the free event, but space is limited. Organizers are no longer accepting RSVPs, and entry isn’t guaranteed for those who did register.

Parking at the venue is limited, with lots opening at 3 p.m., so ride-sharing is encouraged. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the program begins at 6:30 p.m., and doors close at 7:30 p.m. The online listing says the rally goes until 9 p.m.

RELATED STORIES

Maricopa County officials say they have fix for ballot tabulator issues

Live blog: Some Maricopa County voters face technical issues, long waits on Election Day

Here's what Arizonans need to know about voting in Tuesday’s general election

Here are the key 2022 general election dates Arizona voters need to know

Arizona votes: here's our guide to 2022 general election ballot propositions.

Five Democratic candidates for major statewide offices are scheduled to appear along with Obama, including Katie Hobbs, who is in a tight race for governor against Republican Kari Lake.

Incumbents Sen. Mark Kelly and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman are also on the slate, along with attorney general candidate Kris Mayes and secretary of state candidate Adrian Fontes.

Mesa Mayor John Giles, a Republican who has endorsed Hobbs, is also on the speaker list.

Obama has hit the campaign trail in recent days with the Nov. 8 general election drawing near, visiting Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin. He was scheduled to be in Nevada on Tuesday.

His Valley stop comes less than a month after another former president, Donald Trump, held a Republican candidate rally on Oct. 9 in Mesa.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here .

Child in stable condition after rescued from backyard pool in Litchfield Park

A 4-year-old was reportedly hospitalized on Sunday night after being pulled out of a backyard pool in Litchfield Park.

2 hours ago

Payne Moses

Hottest summer recorded in Phoenix, Yuma with August in the history books

With August now in the rearview mirror, Phoenix officially endured the hottest summer since records were first kept in 1896.

3 hours ago

Audrey Jensen/Phoenix Business Journal

New downtown Phoenix brewery set to open on Roosevelt Row

The founders of Denver Beer Co. in Colorado are set to expand their horizons with a new brewery and restaurant in downtown Phoenix.

Navajo Nation receives nearly $5 million to alleviate pollution concerns with orphaned gas, oil wells

The Navajo Nation will receive nearly $5 million in federal funding for necessary work on orphaned oil and gas wells, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced Friday.

4 hours ago

AG Kris Mayes calls for new environmental impact study on uranium mines near Grand Canyon

Attorney General Kris Mayes called on the federal government for a new study environmental impact study on uranium mines along the Grand Canyon rim and northern Arizona.

5 hours ago

Associated Press

Illegal voting by noncitizens is rare, yet Republicans are making it a major issue this election

Republicans have raised concerns about the possibility that noncitizens will be voting and they have taken steps in numerous states to address that prospect.

13 hours ago

Midwestern University

Midwestern University Clinic visits boost student training & community health

Going to a Midwestern University Clinic can help make you feel good in more ways than one.

DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Desert Institute for Spine Care is the place for weekend warriors to fix their back pain

Spring has sprung and nothing is better than March in Arizona. The temperatures are perfect and with the beautiful weather, Arizona has become a hotbed for hikers, runners, golfers, pickleball players and all types of weekend warriors.

Midwestern University Clinics: transforming health care in the valley

Midwestern University, long a fixture of comprehensive health care education in the West Valley, is also a recognized leader in community health care.

Jump to main content

Jump to navigation

• Latest News Read the latest blog posts from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave
• Share-Worthy Check out the most popular infographics and videos
• Photos View the photo of the day and other galleries
• Video Gallery Watch behind-the-scenes videos and more
• Live Events Tune in to White House events and statements as they happen
• Music & Arts Performances See the lineup of artists and performers at the White House
• Your Weekly Address
• Speeches & Remarks
• Press Briefings
• Statements & Releases
• White House Schedule
• Presidential Actions
• Legislation
• Nominations & Appointments
• Disclosures
• Cabinet Exit Memos
• Criminal Justice Reform
• Civil Rights
• Climate Change
• Foreign Policy
• Health Care
• Immigration Action
• Disabilities
• Homeland Security
• Reducing Gun Violence
• Seniors & Social Security
• Urban and Economic Mobility
• President Barack Obama
• Vice President Joe Biden
• First Lady Michelle Obama
• Dr. Jill Biden
• The Cabinet
• Executive Office of the President
• Senior White House Leadership
• Other Advisory Boards
• Office of Management and Budget
• Office of Science and Technology Policy
• Council of Economic Advisers
• Council on Environmental Quality
• National Security Council
• Joining Forces
• Reach Higher
• My Brother's Keeper
• Precision Medicine
• State of the Union
• Inauguration
• Medal of Freedom
• Follow Us on Social Media
• We the Geeks Hangouts
• Mobile Apps
• Developer Tools
• Tools You Can Use
• Tours & Events
• Jobs with the Administration
• Internships
• White House Fellows
• Presidential Innovation Fellows
• United States Digital Service
• Leadership Development Program
• We the People Petitions
• Contact the White House
• Citizens Medal
• Champions of Change
• West Wing Tour
• Eisenhower Executive Office Building Tour
• Video Series
• Décor and Art
• First Ladies
• The Vice President's Residence & Office
• Eisenhower Executive Office Building
• Air Force One
• The Executive Branch
• The Legislative Branch
• The Judicial Branch
• The Constitution
• Federal Agencies & Commissions
• Elections & Voting
• State & Local Government

Search form

President obama’s trip to phoenix: visiting veterans in arizona.

President Barack Obama, with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald, left, Joe Robles, Chairman of the just-announced MYVA, and Sloan Gibson, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, far right, listen to the comments of a veteran during a roundtable at the Phoenix VA Medical Center, March 13, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

• Maj. Gen. Josue “Joe” Robles Jr. – retired Army General, and retired President and CEO of USAA
• Teresa Carlson – Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector Amazon Web Services
• Herman Bulls - International Director and Chairman of Public Institutions at Jones Lang LaSalle
• Michael Haynie, PhD - Vice Chancellor of Syracuse University
• Delos “Toby” M. Cosgrove, MD - CEO and President of the Cleveland Clinic

"It's important that veterans know that somebody's got their backs, and that, if there are problems, that we're not being defensive about it, not hiding it."

— President Obama

"There aren’t that many people that I’ve met during the course of my presidency or my life that have inspired me more."

— President Obama on Cory Remsburg

Jenna Brayton is an Associate Director of Content in the White House Office of Digital Strategy

Jenna Brayton

• Follow @blog44

Watch President Obama's final State of the Union address.

Read what the President is looking for in his next Supreme Court nominee.

Take a look at America's three newest national monuments.

President Obama reportedly staying at Phoenix resort during visit

President Obama is on his way to Phoenix; Air Force One left Detroit just about an hour ago.

The President is expected to arrive around seven this evening; the reason for his trip is to talk about the housing market and its recovery.

We're hearing the President will spend the night at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in North Phoenix.

One nearby business is excited about the possibility that the Commander in Chief may stop by for a bite to eat.

The Secret Service isn't saying where the President will spend the night, but it's likely to be either the Pointe Hilton Squawk Peak or the Arizona Biltmore just down the street.

Residents in and around the Pointe Hilton Resort are convinced President Obama's motorcade will come sweeping through the arches later this evening.

Though the resort remains tight-lipped, some, who live here like Michele Woods, say all of the signs point to a Presidential visit. "And our streets completely blocked off, and it's just crazy over there, it's really cool with tents set up, and cars everwhere, it's going to be an exciting night," she said.

Woods said there are police cars in the hotel parking lot, and this message from the Point Block Watch warned residents of closed streets due to "foreign dignitaries" visiting the resort. Her family owns Aunt Chilada's which is a Mexican food restaurant adjacent to the resort.

"We had quite a bit of a business last night from the hotel, from staff that can't really say who they're with, secret service, secret agent stuff," said Woods.

Secret agent stuff that may or may not pan out. There are whispers that the President will actually go to the Arizona Biltmore to stay.

If he comes to the Pointe Resort and Aunt Chilada's he might try the newly create drink in his honor, the Obamarita. Woods will be ready with a promotional box of cereal she bought when Obama was first running for President; she's hoping he will sign it.

"That would be fantastic, what are the chances he'll just come strolling in for an enchilada. I hope he comes in for an enchilada, it's the best in town, and I think he'll be here tonight," she said.

Aunt Chilada's started taking reservations for dinner earlier today as word spread that the President would be staying nearby and might drop by for a bite. It's a tradition among Presidents who visit the valley; you have to stop for a good Mexican food meal.

The Bushes, Bill Clinton, and President Obama have done it over the years.

Which United States presidents visited Arizona? See the full list

During its history, Arizona has seen U.S. presidents travel to the state for everything from political rallies to funerals.

The 48th state has not always found itself top on the list of places to stop for presidents, making the stops to the Grand Canyon State even more important to Arizona residents.

Here's a look at The Arizona Republic's coverage of United States presidents who visited Arizona while serving the highest elected office in the nation and why they came to the state.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

A visit to the pre-statehood Arizona by William McKinley

Eleven years before Arizona became the 48th state admitted into the union, President William McKinley visited the Arizona Territory to highlight a revealing jewel in the Southwest.

On May 7, 1901, the president visited a gold mine in Congress, a mining town in Yavapai County, before traveling to Phoenix to see the territorial capital and Native American boarding schools.

"The country has become so large, notwithstanding the splendid traveling facilities, that it takes at least 40 days to reach the outlying possessions of this republic," read a Republic article detailing President McKinley's speech to a Phoenix crowd.

"Nor do I forget, when I am standing in this presence, that it was in this territory when I was constrained to go to war with Spain, and made my call for volunteers, that the first patriotic response was made," added McKinley, who would become the fourth U.S. president to be assassinated, only several months after he visited Arizona.

John F. Kennedy's last visit to Arizona

On Nov. 17, 1961, President John F. Kennedy made his first and last trip to Arizona as leader of the nation.

Kennedy arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, then without the international moniker, and was met by Sen. Carl Hayden, D-Ariz.

Hayden was honored the same night for serving 50 years in Congress as Arizona's first U.S. representative and later as U.S. senator at a dinner, which Kennedy attended. The president gave a speech honoring Hayden's legacy.

"America is moving, and Arizona is moving with it," read part of Kennedy's speech at Hayden's anniversary dinner.

A photo acquired by The Republic showed Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson on each side of the 84-year-old Carl Hayden.

Kennedy stayed at the famous Hotel Westward Ho in downtown Phoenix, according to his presidential diary.

Kennedy left Arizona on Nov. 18. He was assassinated two years later in Dallas.

Richard Nixon visited Phoenix for a rally months before his resignation

President Richard Nixon visited Arizona late into his presidency on May 3, 1974, for a Republican rally ahead of the election later that year.

Nixon's diary stated he arrived at Sky Harbor Airport at 4 p.m. and was met by Sens. Barry Goldwater and Paul J. Fannin.

The Republican rally was held at Phoenix's Veterans Memorial Coliseum, now on the Arizona State Fairgrounds.

An original photo used in the Phoenix Gazette showed Nixon waving to the rows of 14,000 people, some holding signs as they cheered on the hopeful presidential-elect.

The president briefly met with the publisher of the then-Phoenix Republic and Gazette, Eugene C. Pulliam, on his birthday, according to Nixon's diary.

Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon stayed at the Camelback Inn before departing the state for the last time under his administration on May 4.

Nixon resigned as the president three months later on Aug. 9, 1974, after a prolonged fallout from the Watergate scandal.

Gerald Ford traveled to Arizona for a journalism conference

President Gerald Ford was handed the role of president after Nixon resigned on Aug. 9, 1974, and traveled to Arizona only three months later.

On Nov. 14, 1974, Ford arrived at Luke Air Force Base in the West Valley to the greetings of Arizona Gov. Jack Williams and Sen. Paul Fannin, among other heavyweight local politicians, according to his diary.

Ford attended a ceremony that honored the first F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft to be delivered to the nation's Air Force arsenal.

Later that evening, Ford attended the annual convention of the Society of Professional Journalists, in which he was greeted by Eugene C. Pulliam.

Ford would depart Arizona after the event from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Ronald Reagan visited Arizona twice

President Ronald Reagan's first of two visits to Arizona while in office was to attend a National Rifle Association convention on May 5, 1983, according to his presidential diary.

Reagan also visited Arizona on Oct. 30, 1987, for the funeral service of Nancy Reagan's mother, Edith Davis, at the St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in central Phoenix.

Reagan and the first lady stayed at the Arizona Biltmore before departing the Valley on Nov. 1, 1987.

George Bush visited the Grand Canyon and more in the early '90s

On Sept. 18, 1991, President George H.W. Bush visited the Grand Canyon.

Bush visited again on May 28, 1992, for a fundraising event for Sen. John McCain.

Bill Clinton visited Arizona 7 times during his presidency

President Bill Clinton's new wave of Democratic influence created a total of seven trips to the state during his presidency from 1993 to 2001, according to his presidential records.

His first trip as president was on Sept. 11, 1996, to the Sun Dial Recreation Center in Sun City to give a campaign speech alongside former Gov. Rose Mofford and Rep. Ed Pastor.

George W. Bush visited Arizona to promote policy, align with key Republicans

President George W. Bush visited Phoenix while campaigning for his reelection in October 2004, where he had a debate with Sen. John Kerry at Arizona State University.

While in the Valley, Bush and the first family visited a Republican watch party of the debate in downtown Phoenix's Bank One Ballpark, now Chase Field.

Bush would visit Arizona again in March 2005 in Tucson for a conversation on strengthening Social Security alongside Sen. John McCain, and later in August of the same year to welcome home troops at Luke Air Force Base.

Barack Obama visited Arizona 7 times

President Barack Obama made Arizona a regular stop during his eight years in office, making his first visit in February 2009, only a month after taking office.

On May 13, 2009, Obama gave the commencement speech for Arizona State University's graduating class.

Obama's arrival at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in January 2012 created controversy when then-Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was captured in an infamous photo pointing her index finger at the president in a scolding manner.

At the start of his second term, Obama visited Intel's Ocotillo campus in Chandler to champion the tech giant.

Obama's last visit to Arizona started on Feb. 7, 2015, to promote a federal plan to make it easier for Americans to become homeowners.

Donald Trump made Arizona a mainstay stop for his campaign

President Donald Trump made Arizona a hotbed for his reelection campaign in 2020, stopping for the first time in the state on Feb. 19, 2020, for a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Reporting by The Republic showed overflowing crowds outside the coliseum eager to hear the president's speech that boasted the status of the economy at the time.

Trump would make six more trips across the state during his presidency between February and October.

On May 5, 2020, Trump visited a Phoenix Honeywell facility that manufactured masks at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing aid to Native Americans in Republic coverage.

Trump broke state records for tickets to a presidential event with rallies in Bullhead City and Goodyear on Oct. 28, 2020.

Presidents Day 2024: What's open and closed in Arizona for federal holiday, Feb. 19?

President Joe Biden's recent visits to Arizona

Joe Biden visited Arizona for the first time as president on Dec. 6, 2022, to tour the construction of a new Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. facility in Phoenix, according to coverage from The Republic.

On Sept. 27, 2023, Biden again traveled to Arizona for a tribute honoring the late Sen. John McCain.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Which United States presidents visited Arizona? See the full list