PHOENIX — Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego will defeat Republican Kari Lake to become Arizona's next U.S. senator, Decision Desk headquarters announced late Saturday, ending one of the most talked-about races of the cycle. did.
Gallego, who has been an incumbent in the Phoenix-area district since 2015, and Lake, a former local newscaster and former gubernatorial candidate, are running for the seat that will soon be vacated by Democratic-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema. They fought over seats.
Both candidates aimed to take on moderate and disaffected voters, especially Republicans. Gallego has won the endorsement of the Arizona State Police Association, which supports President-elect Donald Trump.
“I am proud to have the support of APA to help Arizona law enforcement officers fight fentanyl trafficking, train the next generation of police officers, and most importantly keep Arizona families safe. I look forward to working with APA in the Senate to ensure that we have the resources we need to support the U.S. Senate,” Gallego said of APA's support.
Mr. Lake, meanwhile, won the support of Mr. Ducey and his former gubernatorial primary rival, Karyn Taylor Robson. Both are key figures who are considered popular among moderate Republicans and some independents.
“I guess you have thick skin. If you're going to get into politics, people are going to throw mud at you. But at the end of the day, it's about your own philosophy of what's right and what's wrong and the world.” You're going to make a decision based on your perspective,'' Taylor Robson told the Post in August after deciding to support Lake after a bitter rivalry in 2022.
Inflation and abortion were also two important issues. Inflation soared to an astonishing 13% in 2022, but has since subsided. The constitutional right to abortion was also on the ballot. The proposal passed by a wide margin.
The border became a crucial issue in the campaign, with Gallego touting his support for Congressional border legislation and Lake earning the nickname “Border Potash Lake” by President Trump.
The two were particularly combative during an Oct. 9 debate that centered on border policy and immigrant crime.
“We've been bipartisan on this since day one,” Gallego said of the border law during the debate.
“Murderers have come, criminals have come, terrorists have come,” Lake said at the time.
Both candidates have worked closely with the presidential candidate, with Lake regularly campaigning alongside Trump and Gallego opening for Harris at numerous events.
Voting results had shown Gallego in the lead throughout the race up until last week, as the race shifted in Lake's favor. Trump is expected to win the state in the presidential election.
