Kari Lake Looking To Make Political Comeback

Kari Lake is poised to secure the Republican nomination for Senate in Arizona on Tuesday, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest against Rep. Ruben Gallego. This race will be pivotal in determining the balance of power in the Senate.

In Maricopa County, which encompasses metro Phoenix and represents about 60% of Arizona’s electorate, Republicans face a choice between several incumbents who have stood firm against former President Donald Trump’s assertions about the 2020 election and challengers who still claim the election was stolen.

This primary will offer a glimpse into Arizona’s political trajectory as the 2024 election approaches. With Arizona playing a crucial role in the battle for both the White House and Congress, the outcome will be significant.

Gallego, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, is preparing for a heated general election showdown.

Former President Trump has voiced his support for Lake, urging his followers to vote for her. “Go vote,” Trump said during a telephone rally with Lake. “She’s fantastic. She will not let us down. Kari Lake, I just think she’s going to be as good as you can get. There’s nobody going to be better.”

Lake, who gained national recognition through Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement and her 2022 bid for Arizona governor, has emerged as a strong contender for the Senate seat. Her entry into the race significantly narrowed the field of Republican candidates. Her main rival in the GOP primary is Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who argues that he is the most electable candidate and best equipped to secure the border. However, Lamb has faced challenges in fundraising, with Lake outpacing him significantly. By the end of June, Lake had amassed $10.3 million, while Lamb had raised $2 million.

The victor of this primary will face Gallego in the general election to fill the seat currently held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Sinema, originally elected as a Democrat in 2018, left the party to become an independent after losing support among her base. Although she considered running as an independent again, she decided against it.

Lake transitioned into politics after leaving her position as a news anchor at Phoenix’s Fox affiliate. Her forthright criticisms of the media, strong stance on border security, and steadfast support for Trump have endeared her to grassroots Republicans. Trump even considered her as a potential running mate at one point.

Lake’s 2022 gubernatorial primary victory was against an establishment-backed Republican, though she narrowly lost in the general election. Despite her loss, Lake has remained a prominent figure in the Republican landscape. Since launching her Senate campaign, she has made efforts to moderate some of her positions but has been inconsistent. She reversed her stance on a near-total abortion ban in Arizona, and while she has distanced herself from some election fraud claims, she continues to pursue her 2022 gubernatorial loss in court.

In Maricopa County, Republican voters will have the opportunity to hold accountable those who did not support Trump’s and Lake’s claims of election fraud. Election officials such as Recorder Stephen Richer, who defended election integrity, face challenges from candidates aligned with Trump’s MAGA movement. Several members of the county board of supervisors also face challengers who share this perspective.

Additionally, the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Debbie Lesko includes a diverse field, from former allies like Blake Masters and Abraham Hamadeh, who have since become rivals, to a state lawmaker indicted in connection with Trump’s fake-elector scheme, and former Rep. Trent Franks, who resigned in 2017 amid allegations of sexual harassment.

On the Democratic side, there are contentious primaries in the Phoenix area. The winner in the 1st Congressional District will face Rep. David Schweikert, representing a district that reflects the shifting political landscape. In the 3rd District, which includes the core of the west Phoenix Latino community, two Democrats are competing in a primary, with the nominee expected to have a strong chance in November.

This upcoming primary will not only shape Arizona’s Senate race but will also set the tone for the broader political battles in the 2024 elections.