Kari Lake emerged victorious in the Republican Senate primary in Arizona on Tuesday night, setting the stage for a competitive matchup against Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., in the upcoming November election for the seat being vacated by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz.
Lake secured the nomination by defeating Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb.
Gallego also claimed the Democratic nomination, officially positioning him as the party’s candidate to succeed Sinema.
Lake previously ran for governor in 2022 but lost to the current Governor Katie Hobbs, D-Ariz. Before her gubernatorial campaign, she spent 27 years as a news anchor at a local Arizona TV station.
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From left to right: Republican Pinal County, Arizona Sheriff Mark Lamb, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and former Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. (Getty Images)
Following her defeat in the gubernatorial election, Lake questioned the results and continues to assert that there were major irregularities in the 2020 and 2022 elections, mirroring claims made by former President Trump and many of his supporters. This situation has prompted the Republican National Committee (RNC) to invest substantial resources into efforts regarding election integrity.
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Lake ran for governor in 2022. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
Since taking office in 2017, Sheriff Lamb has been a prominent figure, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic when he chose not to enforce a stay-at-home directive issued by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a fellow Republican.
“It pains me to be in this position, but I feel compelled to stand up for the people and for freedom,” he stated at the time, according to the Associated Press. “I have no desire to cite, fine, or imprison good citizens.”
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Lamb did not enforce a stay-at-home order during COVID-19. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Violating the Arizona pandemic-related order could result in fines of $2,500 and imprisonment for up to six months.
Lake enters the Senate race with substantial name recognition from her gubernatorial campaign and the backing of Trump, as well as support from other Republican officials.
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Trump endorsed Lake in the race. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
After Sinema’s exit from the Democratic Party and her decision not to seek re-election, Gallego faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.
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Gallego and Lake will now compete in the general election on November 5.
The open Senate seat in Arizona is deemed “Lean Democratic” by the Cook Political Report, shared with Senate races in swing states Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, both of which feature Democratic incumbents.
Stay updated with the latest from the 2024 campaign trail, including exclusive interviews, at our Fox News Digital election hub.
