Janice R. Andrews
Rep. Ruben Gallego Prevails Over Kari Lake for Arizona Senate
In a pivotal Arizona Senate race, Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego has successfully defeated Republican Kari Lake, marking her second consecutive electoral loss. According to Decision Desk HQ’s projections, Gallego will take over the seat being vacated by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who chose not to seek re-election after changing her political affiliation from Democrat to Independent last year.
With nearly a decade representing Phoenix in the House, Gallego highlighted his background as the son of a single mother with Mexican and Colombian heritage, along with his Marine Corps service. This personal story struck a chord with Arizona voters in a state that remains a crucial battleground for both parties. Gallego’s campaign centered on issues affecting working-class Arizonans, aiming to keep a Democratic presence in the Senate amid an unpredictable political landscape.
Gallego’s win brings a boost for Democrats in what has been a tough election cycle. Although the party managed to retain Senate seats in other battleground states like Nevada, Wisconsin, and Michigan, they suffered losses in Ohio, Montana, and West Virginia, with additional struggles likely in Pennsylvania. Democrats also lost the White House, and their hold on the House remains precarious. Thus, Gallego’s win marks a crucial victory for Democrats in the Senate, especially given Sinema’s political shift, which had left her estranged from her former party.
Former local news anchor Kari Lake had previously risen to prominence during her narrow 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race against Gov. Katie Hobbs, where she narrowly lost. Lake’s Senate run faced similar obstacles, particularly due to her stance as a well-known election denier—a reputation that followed her campaign, even as she continued to challenge her previous loss in court. Her candidacy also faced criticism from some Republicans after controversial comments about the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), remarks she later defended as jokes but which nevertheless impacted her reputation among conservative voters.
Lake’s stance on abortion became another flashpoint. Previously, she supported an 1864 Arizona law banning nearly all abortions and called abortion the “ultimate sin,” though she moderated her position this cycle, stating she would not support a federal abortion ban and that the matter should be decided by individual states.
Both Gallego and Lake encountered challenges within their own parties. Lake had to contend with a primary challenge from Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, though she remained the GOP favorite. Gallego, on the Democratic side, faced scrutiny over his record on immigration and border issues. Republicans aimed to nationalize the race, linking Gallego to Democratic figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in their advertising efforts.
With this victory, Gallego steps into a crucial Senate role, offering a new approach to Arizona’s representation while bolstering the Democratic position in Congress amid a turbulent political era.
