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SALT LAKE CITY — President Joe Biden's visit to the Beehive State on Wednesday and Thursday will be tightly calculated and meticulous, as you'd expect from a presidential visit.
Before Air Force One touches down on Utah soil, Biden is making stops in Arizona and New Mexico.
Biden on Tuesday visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona where he signed a proclamation to establish a new national monument, the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni — Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
In conjunction with the establishment of the new national monument, the Biden-Harris administration announced a $44 million investment to strengthen climate resilience across America's National Parks system, according to a news release from the White House.
After a stop in Albuquerque Wednesday, where Biden is expected to discuss how the fight against climate change has created jobs, he'll depart for Utah's capitol city ahead of a Thursday address to mark the one-year anniversary of the PACT Act.
"We're just so excited to have him here. I think it's going to be a great moment for the Democrats in the state of Utah and have them realize that our president does think about us and that he will show up in a very red state," said Diane Lewis, chairwoman of the Utah Democratic Party.
Utah Democrats discuss Biden's visit
As with any presidential visit, it's undoubtedly a big deal and even more so for Democratic leaders throughout Utah.
"I think just, you know, making sure that he knows that we're here and we're going to support him and do everything we can to have him be president once again for the next four years," Lewis said.
She said 30 to 40 people from the Utah Democratic Party have been invited to participate in a photo opportunity with the president.
Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said it's "an honor" for Utah to host the president.
Related:
Biden makes Grand Canyon monument designation, citing Arizona tribal heritage, climate concerns
President Joe Biden has signed a national monument designation for the greater Grand Canyon, declaring it good "not only for Arizona but for the planet.""As Democrats, you know, we're excited. We don't get to see, that often, those type of visits," Escamilla said. "It's a great contrast to the visit by the governor of Florida and comments he made in his visit, so I'm excited for that. (It) definitely will be a very different set of comments and statements made."
Escamilla added that even as Democrats are a minority in Utah, she believes Biden represents everyone.
As far as specific pieces of policy, Escamilla is hoping to hear about how Utah can access resources and funding for infrastructure related to environmental and air quality in the state.
It's very historical to have a president of the United States come to the state of Utah, and we're really excited to host him. I'm looking forward to ... talking to him about pressing issues that are impacting us all, and climate change is a huge issue for many in my community, especially when you look at it from an environmental justice lens.
– Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City
"Air quality and, for me, the Great Salt Lake will be things that if I get a chance to communicate anything to the president, (it) will be those pieces," Escamilla said.
Lewis said she's not sure if she or any other members of the Utah Democratic Party will get the opportunity to speak with Biden, but she's hopeful.
"We want to talk about climate change because we've had such, again, record-breaking heat this summer," Lewis said, pointing out the Great Salt Lake in specific.
Lewis said that she got to meet and talk to Biden in Maryland at the beginning of the year and, during their conversation, Biden expressed concern for the Great Salt Lake and Utah's environment as a whole.
Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, echoed Escamilla's and Lewis' hopes for the chance at a discourse around Utah's environmental concerns.
"It's very historical to have a president of the United States come to the state of Utah, and we're really excited to host him," Romero said. "I'm looking forward to ... talking to him about pressing issues that are impacting us all, and climate change is a huge issue for many in my community, especially when you look at it from an environmental justice lens."
She added that the economy and inflation are also topics she'd like to discuss, given the chance, and that she's happy Biden will be honoring veterans during his visit.
"All my uncles on my paternal side have been in the military. So, for me, it's very important that he's talking to a specific audience ... and letting them know that he has their back," Romero said.
Contributing: Sydnee Gonzalez
