Yuma County takes center stage in new campaign ad

First time county has been mentioned in major political advertisement

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma County plays a prominent role in the Biden-Harris campaign's latest political advertisement.

It's the first time the county has ever been mentioned in a spot from a major political party.

The ad promotes the ticket's economic plan, and highlights the county's high unemployment rate. It cites an 11% jobless rate, although recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows it to be much higher. In August, the rate topped 16%.

Jessica Mejia, Biden for President Arizona State Director, said the campaign specifically chose to mention the area, because Biden's plan will most benefit the families that call the Desert Southwest home.

"Their ‘Made in America’ plan will help recover Southwestern Arizona…our plan will make sure families in Southwest Arizona, families in Yuma are affected in a positive way,” said Mejia. "I think it speaks to the Vice President and Senator Harris’ commitment to making sure they’re a President and Vice President for all Americans, for all Arizonans regardless of background or political affiliation."

Watch the new Biden advertisement here:

The Trump campaign has not specifically mentioned the area in any of its ads, however, it has made a number of in-person campaign stops in Yuma. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have both made two visits to Yuma in the past six-months. The President was last here in August, Pence in September.

The Biden-Harris bus tour did roll into Yuma last week, but neither the former vice president, nor his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, (D-Calif.) made an appearance.

Both campaigns are focusing more on Arizona since it emerged as a battleground state. The state has an attractive 11 electoral college delegates up for grabs in the November 3rd General Election.

Those delegates haven't gone to a Democratic Presidential candidate since 1996, when former President Bill Clinton carried the state.

*Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Jessica Mejia as the Arizona Communications Director for Biden-Harris 2020 - Ms. Mejia is the Arizona State Director for Biden for President