Kari Lake and the Way to Save Arizona: What Do We Need to Do About Abortion? And How Can Arizonans Help?
She received the support of Trump when she got into the senate race last fall. But it’s considered a weakness by some Arizona Republicans who worry she’ll lose another statewide race this fall to Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran who’s consistently led Lake in polls thus far.
With results from early voting reported, Lake led with approximately 54% of the GOP primary vote, well more than the roughly 40% held by her rival, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and a distant third challenger, Elizabeth Reye. Lake’s margin of victory might change as more votes are counted.
At an election night rally in Phoenix after her race was called, Lake told a crowd of supporters that Arizonans had less than three-and-a-half months to save the country alongside Trump.
She’ll face Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego, who ran unopposed for his party’s nomination to the Senate seat now filled by retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz.
Democrats in a state that is wrestling with a ballot measure to allow for the right to abortion in the constitution are not happy about her position on the issue.
In April, Lake denounced an Arizona Supreme Court ruling reviving a near-total ban on abortion in the state — a law she previously praised as a gubernatorial candidate, when she said she was “thrilled” Arizona would have the ban on the books in the event the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
“From now until November, I welcome all Arizonans — Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike — to join our team and help defeat Kari Lake and her dangerous plan to ban abortion and hurt Arizonans,” Gallego said in a statement Tuesday night.
At times during her victory speech on Tuesday, Lake sought to strike a collaborative tone, calling on “Trump Republicans” and “traditional Republicans” alike to join together to support her.
Democratic Candidate Abe Hamadeh Wins Arizona’s 8th Congressional District and Sen. Juan Ciscomani Wins a Second Term
In the presidential contest, Arizona has become a swing state, meaning even the primaries have attracted high-profile endorsements and attention. Democrats swept key statewide races and helped President Biden win in 2020, while Masters lost his U.S. Senate seat.
The candidates were ranked neck and neck by a survey in a race which was characterized by their fealty to Trump. There were also sharp attacks on the former allies, particularly Masters’ barbs about the religious background of Hamadeh.
But the Republican presidential candidate also gave Masters a last-minute endorsement on Truth Social Saturday night. Masters lost the Senate race in Arizona to Mark Kelly.
The race for Arizona’s 8th Congressional district had a crowded field but it was Abe Hamadeh who beat them all, according to The Associated Press. Having won, Hamadeh is now heavily favored to win the GOP-leaning district in November and replace retiring Republican Rep. Debbie Lesko.
The Democratic primary for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District has not yet been called. A former Arizona Senator is fighting a former Phoenix City Councilmember.
Republican opponents in the 1st Congressional District were easily defeated by incumbent Republican Rep. David Schweikert. The race for his Democratic opponent hasn’t been called yet.
After winning the Republican primary in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, JuanCiscomani is going for a second term with a possible opponent in the November election.