Former president Donald Trump will visit Tucson Thursday for the first time since 2016.
It will be his first campaign event following his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday night.
The Trump campaign complied with a new city of Tucson policy by paying a more than $145,000 deposit up front to cover costs for public safety and venue usage.
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In May, Trump was convicted of 34 criminal counts related to falsifying business records.
Many conservatives felt that process was politically motivated, including Steve Selvy who is part of the Pima County Republican Party executive committee.
He said then, the conviction would backfire against the former presidents critics.
What I think this did, I think it just got Trump elected, he said at that time.
Now three months later, Selvy says conservatives are still optimistic but with apprehension for fear of what the country would look like under a Harris presidency.
And so that creates some anxiety, and hopefully a little motivation for us to work hard right up until November 5th, he said.
Trumps trip to Tucson on Thursday comes just three weeks after his visit to the Cochise County border before a rally in Glendale, where he was endorsed by independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
I think that shows how important Arizona is, Selvy said of the multiple visits.
Selvy also believes the conviction and failed assassination attempt have made Trump stronger.
Theres been so much thats gone on, but hes so resilient, he said. So I think we feel that nothing thats been thrown at him thus far keeps him down.
At the University of Arizona, the excitement is also building for young republican voters.
This is a college town, and so realistically we are dealing with a population that is, on paper, very liberal, said UA College Republicans president Lala Mercado. But I think its opening up. And you see the way that things are shifting. Its more so about the economy and immigration. Things that are pretty easy for Republicans to win on.
Both Selvy and Mercado said Trump handled Tuesdays debate well. They believe the ABC News moderators were biased against Trump, and needed to do more fact-checking of Harris.
Plenty of other Tucsonans have already made up their mind on Trump.
I dont want him here, said Melinda Kane, a Democratic voter. Tucson is my home and its such an impressive community. And it just doesnt fit Donald Trumps rhetoric very well, so. I mean, hes coming. We cant do anything about it. But Im not excited that hell be here.
The Trump campaign is not the only one scheduled to appear in Southern Arizona on Thursday; Second Gentleman Doug EmhoffKamala Harriss husbandis also set to appear at an event in Tucson.