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, who previously ran for governor in 2022 and has promoted Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, will face Gallego, a Phoenix-area congressman and Marine veteran, in the general election for the seat being vacated by Sen. Krysten Sinema. The race in battleground Arizona will play a key role in determining partisan control of the Senate this fall.
Lake has heavily touted Trump’s endorsement during her Senate campaign and emphasizes her MAGA-themed message, while Gallego has highlighted his willingness to work across the aisle on issues like abortion rights, cutting costs for families, and protecting water resources. Gallego enters the general election with a significant cash advantage over Lake.
In addition to the Senate race, Arizona also saw notable House primaries on Tuesday, including freshman GOP Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s successful defense against a primary challenger in the swing 6th District. Ciscomani will now face former state Sen. Kirsten Engel, a Democrat, in a rematch of their previous close race. The seat, which covers a large part of southeastern Arizona, is considered a toss-up by political analysts.
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