Arizona leaders call out tariff supporters in the state

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Arizona leaders are calling out several republican leaders in the state for supporting Trump tariffs. Arizona democratic party chair Charlene Fernandez and Yuma leaders spoke out in the Foothills. They called out three Republican gubernatorial candidates saying their support for Trump's tariffs are raising holiday costs.

"But right now, the tariff policies of Andy Biggs, Karen Taylor Robertson, and David Schweikert are leading to an affordability crisis that puts our community at risk," said Arizona democratic party chair Charlene Fernandez.

"Families are suffering right now. The cost of living has gone too high," said healing journey CEO and mental health professional Estrella Fitch.

Yuma leaders called out Republican gubernatorial candidates Andy Biggs, Karrin Taylor Robson, and David Schweikert.

“Schweikert bragged that he was doing the calculations with the White House, which called it- tariffs a brilliant economic strategy. Taylor Robson encouraged Trump to keep fighting for tariffs, to keep fighting for higher costs," said Fernandez.

Both Robson and Biggs took to Twitter commenting in support of Trump tariffs. And in an interview with 12 News in Phoenix, Schweikert said he worked on the tariffs saying quote "I’m probably on the phone with the White House every other day.”

"Tariff hurts Arizona more than they hurt other states. We export much more agriculture product than we import. If we lose those markets, those farms fail. It's that simple," said Fernandez.

They say tariff’s are also hurting local small businesses.

"Rent is higher than ever. Groceries are more expensive every single week. Coffee prices are up more than 20% compared to last year. It's the biggest increase since the 1990's on coffee," said Yuma County democratic party chair Xanthe Bullard.

I stopped by a local coffee shop to hear if they are impacted by the tariffs. The owner says she gets her coffee beans exported from Mexico and will now have to raise prices and wages as a result of the higher cost.

"We used to have a flat rate from our vendor. Now that flat rate has increased by 25%, and that's a huge impact when I don't have prices that much into my cost already, so prices are going up. Tariff's now affecting some of that cost," said Nichim Cafe owner Karime Hayer.

We reached out to the three Republican leaders that the democrats called out, and we are still waiting to hear back from them.