PHOENIX – Former Congressman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon recently appeared on "Voice of the Valley" (KATO 1230 AM).

Salmon spoke with David Bell about Operation Copper Shield, his bold new initiative to combat the drug cartels and secure the U.S. Mexico border. They also discussed his plans to expanding access to broadband in rural communities and to ensure that every region of Arizona is well-represented in the Governor's Office.

You can read relevant excerpts from the interview below:

Matt Salmon On Taking On The Drug Cartels:

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"I don't think there's any doubt that what the cartels are doing at the border is tantamount to an invasion ... From Day One, I will declare a state of emergency at the border. I'll call the legislature into a special session and ask them for $200 million ... We will do everything within our power as a state to set the cartels on their heels."

Matt Salmon On Representing Every Region Of Arizona:

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"We learned during COVID that ... so many people in so many different industries can work from home, but they've got to have access to high speed Internet ... and I really want to do everything I can to make sure that the rural areas are brought up to speed ... It's going to require a governor that understands we've got a great, big, beautiful state with a lot of assets."