Major Announcement Changes Everything In Kari Lake’s Senate Race
Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) has added a new layer of unpredictability to the already fiercely contested Senate race by announcing her decision not to seek reelection. The revelation, shared on social media on Tuesday, comes at a crucial time, amplifying the volatility of the electorate as candidates Kari Lake and Ruben Gallego find themselves in a close race, according to recent polls.
“In 2017, I warned we were approaching a crossroads. Our democracy was weakened by government dysfunction and the constant pull to the extremes by both political parties,” remarked Sinema, reflecting on her decision. She expressed concern about the current political climate, noting, “The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic, attacking your opponents on cable news or social media. Compromise is a dirty word… We’ve arrived at that crossroad, and we chose anger and division. I believe in my approach, but it’s not what America wants right now.”
The absence of Sinema has injected fresh uncertainty into the race, where Republican candidate for governor of Arizona, Laura Kari Lake, has emerged as a formidable contender. Lake, who filed her Senate campaign committee registration with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) last October, is seen as a strong candidate for the Republican primary nomination.
As the campaign intensifies, a potential shift in rhetoric and strategy may be on the horizon for Lake. Rasmussen and the Bull Moose Project indicate that Lake currently leads the Republican primary by a significant 29-point margin. However, general election polling shows varying results, with Lake leading Ruben Gallego by a narrow 3 to 4 points in some surveys and trailing by 3 to 10 points in others. The withdrawal of Sinema from the race could potentially impact the Democrats' standing.
Ruben Gallego, a former US Marine and Democratic representative for Arizona’s 3rd congressional district, is considered a strong candidate. With experience in state politics and national impact as the national chair of Eric Swalwell’s 2020 presidential campaign, Gallego offers a formidable challenge to Republicans.
Despite previous tensions, the Republican establishment has largely rallied behind Kari Lake in the Senate contest. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), head of the Senate Republicans’ campaign, have endorsed Lake, signaling a united front within the party. Lake's efforts to mend relationships with the GOP establishment have proven successful, garnering support from influential strategists and funders. The NRSC endorsement further solidifies her position in the race.
As Arizona remains a competitive state that has swung Democratic in recent elections, the dynamics of the Senate race are evolving rapidly, setting the stage for a closely watched and unpredictable contest.