DISTANCING

Arizona’s GOP Governor Won’t Attend Trump’s Phoenix Rally

Will simply greet the president on tarmac Tuesday.

Arizona’s Republican governor will greet President Trump on the tarmac Tuesday, but he will not join the president at his campaign-style rally that evening in Phoenix. In a statement, Gov. Doug Ducey’s office explained that the governor’s “focus has been working with law enforcement toward a safe event in downtown Phoenix for all those involved and in the area. That will continue to be his priority during the event and afterwards.” Analysts told The Arizona Republic that a simple handshake on the tarmac may be the easiest way for Ducey to avoid the potentially toxic political association with Trump while not fully distancing himself from the president.