The political landscape of Arizona is buzzing with anticipation.
Reports suggest Kari Lake, the former Republican gubernatorial nominee, is on the brink of announcing her candidacy for the Senate in 2024. This news \ sent ripples through the state, with many conservatives eagerly awaiting official confirmation.
Lake, who narrowly missed out on the governorship in the 2022 midterms, losing to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs by less than one point, is expected to launch her Senate bid as early as next month.
The seat she is eyeing is currently held by Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who has yet to declare her intentions for reelection.
The potential entry of Lake into the race has been met with enthusiasm from Arizonans, particularly those within the conservative community. They see her as a strong contender who could bring a fresh conservative perspective to the U.S. Senate.
Kari Lake is expected to announce a run for US Senate.
Raise your hand if support Kari Lake’s decision!🙌 pic.twitter.com/186PMzWz3Z
— Lori Deers🇺🇸 (@Liana53160) September 21, 2023
Caroline Wren, senior adviser to Lake, echoed these sentiments, stating, “It’s time Arizona has a true conservative fighter in the U.S. Senate.
The people of Arizona want Kari Lake to stay in this fight and are calling on her to run and she’s very likely to answer that call.”
However, the road to the Senate won’t be without its challenges. Lake could potentially face off against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in a three-way race, should Sinema decide to run for reelection.
Furthermore, she may also have to contend with Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, Blake Masters, and several other Republican hopefuls in the primary next year.
Despite these potential hurdles, Lake appears to be a strong contender. An Emerson College survey released on August 8 indicates that she is currently leading the Republican primary with 42% support.
This is a significant lead over Lamb, who has 11% support, and Masters, who has 7%.
.@katiehobbs was provided a private security guard by a liberal dark money group during her "campaign" for governor.
She never reported this in-kind donation to the FEC.
She just gave the man a $115,000 salary & a cabinet position.
This is a cut-and-dry violation of campaign…
— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) September 21, 2023
However, another survey from Noble Predictive Insights suggests a more challenging scenario for Lake in a three-way general election race. According to this survey, Lake would come in third with 25% support, trailing behind Gallego at 34% and Sinema at 26%.
Regardless of these projections, one thing is clear: Kari Lake’s likely entry into the Senate race energized Arizona’s political scene.
Her conservative stance and strong support base make her a formidable candidate. As we await her official announcement, it’s evident that Lake’s potential candidacy could significantly shape the future of Arizona politics.
