Former Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned with Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez in deep red Mesa, Arizona on Friday evening, on a tour dubbed the "Come Together & Fight Back" tour.


After the Democratic Party's failed effort to elect Hillary Clinton in 2016, the DNC sought Sanders's support in helping to unite the party, and continue to reach out to younger voters, and voters who refused to support Clinton in the general election against President Trump.


The pair have been traveling around the country, visiting traditionally red and purple states. They held an earlier event the same day in Salt Lake City. Perez pointed out in his speech that he wants to make an effort to listen to voters, and understand the issues that are important to them.


Perez was elected Chairman following the Democratic Party's losses in the House, Senate and Presidency. He had served as a campaign surrogate for Hillary Clinton's campaign, and received push back from Sanders loyalists during his campaign for party chairman, including a challenge from Congressman Keith Ellison, who served as a Sanders campaign surrogate.


Sanders made familiar points in his speech to the crowd of approximately 5,000 supporters, referring back to the campaign rhetoric that helped him to distinguish himself as a significant challenge to the establishment Clinton campaign.

You can find photos from the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskTovCyG