Bernie Sanders in Arizona for rallies with Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Garcia

PHOENIX (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is in Arizona to speak at rallies in Tucson and Tempe for Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Garcia.

Garcia is an education professor at ASU who is facing Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in the Nov. 6 general election.

Sanders joined Garcia for a Tuesday afternoon appearance at the University of Arizona and also was scheduled to appear at a 5 p.m. rally at Arizona State University.

The rallies are aimed at encouraging college students to get out and vote.

Sanders is the longest-serving independent in congressional history.

The Vermont senator and self-described progressive ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 2016.

Tuesday's appearances marked Sanders' fourth visit to Tucson in the last two years.