PHOENIX – First it was Mitt Romney. Next will be President Donald Trump. And after that, it’s Sen. Bernie Sanders’ turn.

The progressive leader from Vermont is the latest national political luminary to plan campaign events in Arizona.

Sanders has scheduled rallies with Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Garcia at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University next week.

The independent senator, who caucuses with the Democrats, will appear at ASU’s Student Pavilion at 5 p.m. Tuesday, with doors opening at 3 p.m.

Earlier that day, he’ll be at Arizona’s Richard Jefferson Gymnasium for a noon rally. Doors open at 10 a.m.

RSVPs, which can be submitted at Garcia’s or Sanders’ website, are encouraged for both free events but not required.

Sanders, who lost to Hillary Clinton in his bid to be the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, will try to spark Garcia’s flagging campaign to unseat Gov. Doug Ducey.

Recent polling has shown Ducey with a growing lead over the ASU education professor.

Sanders is extremely popular among young voters, so it makes sense that he would appear at the state’s two largest universities.

Last week, Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, appeared in Gilbert to stump for U.S. Senate candidate Martha McSally.

On Friday, Trump will be in Mesa to urge Arizonans to vote for McSally, who is in a tight race with Democratic candidate Kyrsten Sinema to replace outgoing Republican Jeff Flake.

McSally said she’d also be joining the president on a visit to Luke Air Force Base in the West Valley that day.

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