Kari Lake, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, won the Republican Senate primary in Arizona, setting up a critical matchup against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego. Lake, a former news anchor, first emerged in politics during an unsuccessful run for governor in 2022, where she promoted Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election. She heavily touts Trump’s endorsement in her Senate campaign. Gallego, a Phoenix-area congressman and Marine veteran, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The race in battleground Arizona will be crucial in determining partisan control of the Senate. Gallego, who emphasizes working across the aisle, enters the general election with a cash advantage over Lake. In the House primaries, GOP Rep. Juan Ciscomani fended off a challenger in the swing 6th District, setting up a rematch with Democrat Kirsten Engel, whom he narrowly defeated previously. The race for this seat, which covers a large part of southeastern Arizona, is considered a toss-up. The matchup between Lake and Gallego in the Senate race is expected to be closely watched as both candidates appeal to different segments of Arizona voters. It is poised to be a key battleground in the Senate race and will have implications for the broader political landscape in the state.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
