Photos: Presidential campaign visits in Tucson since 1960
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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Tucson has been a frequent stopover for candidates for U.S. President. Arizona was the home to icons such as Barry Goldwater, Carl Hayden, Mo Udall. Tucson leaned more Democratic than the Phoenix area, but with time the larger Pima County area has become important for both Democrats and Republicans.
Kennedy-Johnson presidential campaign in 1960
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Sen. John F. Kennedy stepped off his DC-3 campaign plane and was greeted by about 150 people and given a sombrero and "an undersized cowboy hat," according to the Tucson Citizen, at Tucson Municipal Airport in April 1960, during an appearance in Tucson, Ariz.
John F. Kennedy
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Riding from airport with John F. Kennedy during the Democratic Presidential candidate's 1960 visit to Tucson were City Democratic Chairman David Ginsburg, County Vice Chairman Joe Huerta, Mayor Don Hummel and County Democratic Chairman Frank Minarik. Photo from "Jack Sheaffer's Tucson 1945-1965."
Presidential campaigns in Tucson: Barry Goldwater
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Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater arriving at the Pioneer Hotel in downtown Tucson on June 24, 1964, during his campaign for president. Goldwater was running for against incumbent Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson. Note Pima Savings Building in the background. It's now a City of Tucson building. At the base of the building is Little Cafe Poca Cosa.
Presidential campaigns in Tucson: Barry Goldwater
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Arizona's Favorite Son, Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater, at the podium for "Breakfast with Barry" with 1,200 guests at the Pioneer Hotel in downtown Tucson on June 24, 1964. Goldwater was running for president against incumbent Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson. It was a pricey $5-a-plate affair. Most people dressed in short sleeves on the heals of a 103-degree scorcher the day prior. Goldwater spoke prophetically about the war in Vietnam. "I can't help feeling there will be disaster in Vietnam unless something is done soon," he said. Goldwater visited Nogales afterward – a rare stop for presidential candidates.
Kennedy-Johnson presidential campaign in 1960
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Senator Lyndon Johnson, waving his cowboy hat to the crowd, during a campaign stop for the Kennedy-Johnson presidential campaign at Tucson Municipal Airport on Sept. 15, 1960. At left, former Arizona Gov. Ernest McFarland, Arizona Sen. Carl Hayden. Congressman Stewart Udall, destined to be Secretary of the Interior in the Kennedy administration, is to the right of Johnson.
Kennedy-Johnson presidential campaign in 1960
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Lyndon B. Johnson reaches for a hand during a campaign stop at the University of Arizona in Tucson on Sept. 15, 1960. It was a "folksy visit," according to the Tucson Citizen, "a shirt-sleeved, handshaking and child-hugging rush through Tucson." Johnson was John F. Kennedy's running mate in the 1960 presidential election.
Richard M. Nixon
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While Mrs. Richard A. Ports watches, Richard M. Nixon signs an autograph for an unidentified student (left) after the dedication of a library to the late Richard A. Ports at the Alpha Tau Omega house, 1451 N. Warren Ave, Tucson, in 1965.
Richard Nixon
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Richard Nixon wishes Congressional Republican hopeful Mac Matheson lots of luck in his campaign before leaving Tucson Airport last night after a brief ranch vacation in 1961.
George Wallace
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Alabama Gov George Wallace addresses an audience at the University of Arizona on January 9, 1964. Months before he had already announced his intention to be the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party in the 1964 elections. A year before, Wallace famously declared during his oath of office as governor,"...segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." During his speech at the UA he said the Civil Rights Bill would blot out personal liberty and establish total federal control over individual lives. P
George Wallace
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Alabama Gov George Wallace addresses an audience at the University of Arizona on January 9, 1964. Months before he had already announced his intention to be the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party in the 1964 elections.
Hubert H. Humphrey
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Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey, the 1964 Democratic nominee for vice president, addresses a reported 7,000 people during an outdoor rally at the Tucson Sports Center on November 1, 1964.
Hubert H. Humphrey
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Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey, lower right, the 1964 Democratic nominee for vice president, wades through supporters after addressing a reported 7,000 spectators during an outdoor rally at the Tucson Sports Center on November 1, 1964.
Presidential campaigns in Tucson: George McGovern
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Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D., talks with a group during a "rap session" with a mixed-minority group of about 100 at the Welfare Rights Organization headquarters on S. 4th Ave. in Tucson on Jan. 10, 1972. McGovern was campaigning for the party's nomination as President of the United States.
Mo Udall
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Congressman Morris K. "Mo" Udall relaxes on a bus in between campaign stops in 1980 in Tucson. Mo Udall, longtime U.S. Representative from Southern Arizona, and brother Stewart were deeply respected for their government service. Mo was defeated by Jimmy Carter in the 1972 Democratic Presidential primary. He decided against another run for President in 1984 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Ronald and Nancy Reagan
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Former California Governor Ronald Reagan, center, and his wife, Nancy Reagan, meet with someone during a visit to Flowing Wells High School on October 26, 1979. The future president was a featured speaker at the school's annual Bellamy Award Day.
Bill Clinton
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Pres. Bill Clinton didn't campaign in Tucson, but he is known for his lunch stop, and the lunch plate named after him, at Mi Nidito in South Tucson in 1999..
George W. Bush
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Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush Jr., greeted by Ray Castillo, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, Rick Grinnell, and auto dealer Jim Click at the Executive terminal of Tucson International Airport in 1999.
John Kerry
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Senator John Kerry made a campaign stop at the Local 479 International Fire Fighters Union Hall, speaking to voters about mostly domestic policy, and shaking hands, during his run for U.S. President in 2003.
Dick Cheney
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Vice President Dick Cheney waves to a crowd of supporters during a campaign rally at Pima County Fairgrounds on July 31, 2004.
George W. Bush
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President George W. Bush has a laugh with Arizona Senator John McCain during a town hall session held at the Tucson Convention Center on March 21, 2005. After a failed run for President in 2000, McCain threw his support to Bush. Bush returned the favor in 2008, when Sen. McCain run against Barack Obama.
Barack and Michelle Obama
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First Lady Michelle Obama walks along the tarmac with Haile Thomas , left, and James Ianni at Tucson International Airport on April 30, 2012. Mrs. Obama was in Tucson for a campaign fundraiser for incumbent Pres. Barack Obama.
Bernie Sanders
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Democratic candidate for president Bernie Sanders drives home a point at his rally at the Reid Park DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in 2015.
Donald Trump rally in Tucson
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Donald Trump speaks to the crowd during the Republican presidential candidate's rally at the Tucson Convention Center in March, 2016. The rally was marred by some yelling and clashes with protesters.
Tucson Pence Visit
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Vice President Mike Pence fist pumps while giving remarks at a "Make America Great Again Victory" rally at the Tucson Jet Center, on Oct. 30, 2020.
Donald Trump "Make America Great Again" Campaign Rally
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President Donald Trump dances to the "Y.M.C.A" after speaking during a campaign rally at Tucson Jet Center, 6720 S. Plumber Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on October 19, 2020.
Kamala Harris
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Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks to a crowd during a drive-in campaign rally at Pima Community College West in Tucson, Ariz. on October 28, 2020. Harris visited Tucson and Phoenix in a last push to get out the vote six days before Election Day.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
As featured on
In his campaigns and presidency, Trump upheld his supporters as the bedrock of the country, a "real America" that had been ignored. They won recognition by putting him in office and now must acknowledge a bigger "real America" that wanted Trump out, Biden in.
