Mark Kelly, Martha McSally make final pitch to Arizona voters before Election Day
PHOENIX - The biggest race in Arizona is for a seat on the United States Senate formerly held by the late Sen. John McCain.
As the Grand Canyon State, along with the rest of the country, prepares for Election Day, two people running to serve out the remainder of Sen. McCain's term are making their final pitch to voters.
Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed in Dec. 2018 by Gov. Doug Ducey to the Senate seat, is running against Democratic challenger Mark Kelly for the seat.
Kelly is seen as a big favorite not only in national polls, but also in Vegas oddsmakers circles, to unseat Sen. McSally. The Senate race has seen both candidates spend tens of millions of dollars, and nationally, both Republicans and Democrats see the Senate race as a potential decider for a majority.
RELATED: Kelly raises $39 million, McSally $23 million in Arizona Senate race
McSally campaign visits various Arizona cities
On the campaign trail, Sen. McSally has continuously stressed that it’s not about her, but that the election is about what’s on the line, and she had a particularly strong message for why she believes veterans should vote for her.
"Everything we put our life on the line for is at stake in the next 29 hours. Everything that our fellow men and women didn’t come home and have the ultimate sacrifice for, everything that those who came home with the wounds of war, both mentally and physically, and their family sacrifice, it’s all on the line," said Sen. McSally.
Sen. McSally is hoping to fire up her base, and possibly sway undecided voters away from her opponent Mark Kelly.
"Where we are right now, at this moment, Arizona is ground zero to decide the direction of this country," said Sen. McSally.
Sen. McSally’s AZFighter Tour has seen her criss-cross the entire state, covering over 1,600 miles in two days and with Sen. McSally speaking to supporters in Tucson, Show Low, Yuma, and Flagstaff.
FOX 10 asked Sen. McSally about the challenges of holding rallies in Arizona communities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"I think it’s important to get that final message out, because the outcome of this election will decide the Senate majority and the direction of our country," said Sen. McSally. "There’s a lot at stake here."
As the votes come in to decide the election, Sen. McSally says she has experience in close races, and says votes will still be tallied after Election Day, which is normal.
"If people drop their ballot off on Election Day or it comes in the mail Tuesday, it will be counted after Election Day I’ve seen this every time I’ve had a close race.
On Election Day, Sen. McSallyplans to go to polling locations to get a final push before the results come in.
Kelly visits field office in Tucson
On Nov. 2, Kelly and his wife, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, arrived at a Tucson field office as a push to secure votes in the final hours leading up to Election Day continues.
"The folks that are going out to canvass today, this is the most important part of the campaign, and that’s getting individuals to turn in their ballots if it’s at home laying on the kitchen table," said Kelly.
Veronica Verry said volunteering for Mark Kelly and the Biden/Harris campaign came down to one thing: setting an example for her family.
"This is just really important, especially to set the example for my children, because they’re the future of this country," said Verry.
"That’s what we can do now, knock on every last door, make those phone calls, send those texts, to get folks out," said Kelly. "I don’t put a lot of stock in what someone in Las Vegas is saying or a pollster on the other side of the country is saying. The only poll that matters, matters to me, matters to Sen. McSally, is the voters who have voted already and will vote tomorrow."
Polls will close at 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 3, but with maybe a majority of Arizonans already voting, Kelly says those last few votes in Election Day could be the difference between a victory and a defeat.
For all you need to know about Election Day and voting information in Arizona, visit this link.