Kari Lake won the Arizona Senate GOP primary, setting up a showdown in November against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego.

Gallego ran unopposed in the Arizona Senate Democratic primary.

“Lake was largely seen as the presumptive GOP nominee in the Republican contest to replace retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), as her only real contender was Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb,” The Hill wrote.

From The Hill:

Lake ran for Arizona governor in 2022 and narrowly lost to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D).

“Congratulations to Kari Lake on her commanding victory in tonight’s primary,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines. “Arizonans must unite to defeat Ruben Gallego, one of the most radical Democrats in the country. Ruben Gallego will work with Kamala Harris to abolish ICE, defund the police, and pass more reckless spending that will drive prices up. Kari Lake will work with President Trump to secure the border, get crime under control, and bring down prices.”

Following her primary victory Tuesday night, Gallego released a statement hitting Lake over reproductive rights.

“It’s official – my opponent is Kari Lake. Arizona, the choice is clear: Kari wants to ban abortion. I will always protect abortion rights,” Gallego said.

“Thank you for putting your faith in me, Arizona. I won’t let you down. Together, we’re going to save this state. Together, we’re going to #MakeArizonaGrandAgain,” Lake wrote.

Per NBC News:

Lake, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, was ahead of Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb 53% to 41% with roughly 77% of the expected vote in. Former news anchor Elizabeth Reye was running in a distant third.

Lake advances to the general election for the seat being vacated by Sen. Krysten Synema, I-Ariz, against Gallego, a Phoenix-area congressman and Marine veteran who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The race in battleground Arizona will be among a handful that determine partisan control of the Senate this fall.

Lake, a 54-year-old former newscaster, first emerged on the political scene during her unsuccessful run for governor in 2022 as a prominent promoter of Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. She later refused to accept her own loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs, who is now Arizona’s governor.

Lake has heavily touted the former president’s endorsement again during her Senate campaign. She arrived to her polling location in Paradise Valley, Ariz., on Tuesday in a new tour bus that featured a giant decal of her with the former president and the words “Endorsed by President Trump.”

 

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