Senate GOP's campaign arm goes all-in on Kari Lake
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Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the chair of the Senate GOP's campaign arm, will fundraise with Arizona Republican Kari Lake next month — a snapshot into the party's full-court press to help elect the pro-Trump election denier.
Why it matters: Republicans view the Arizona opening as one of their top opportunities to gain a Senate seat in November, prompting every corner of the party to coalesce around Lake, despite her controversial past.
- Daines, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), will stump and fundraise for Lake in Arizona's Maricopa County on April 1, Axios has learned.
- The NRSC will also help Lake pay for internal polling and her field program, which includes get-out-the-vote programs.
The big picture: The race is rated as a toss-up by Cook Political Report, and the pressure is on for Daines to deliver Republicans a Senate majority in 2025.
- The map is favorable to the GOP, with a number of vulnerable Democratic incumbents up for re-election.
- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Az.) announced last week that she would not run for reelection, clearing the way for Lake to face Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) one-on-one in November.
Between the lines: Republicans have launched a fundraising blitz to boost Lake's campaign account in recent weeks.
- Lake raised $330,000 at a D.C. fundraiser earlier this month, which was attended by more than 17 GOP senators.
- Lake is also planning a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on April 3, which is expected to raise over $500,000, a source familiar with the plans said.
The intrigue: Daines is among the names being floated as a possible replacement to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the next Senate GOP leader.
- Daines has not entered the race, but former President Trump has encouraged him to seek the position.
- Lake, the GOP's 2022 Arizona gubernatorial nominee, continues to push baseless conspiracy theories about both her race and the 2020 election being "stolen" by Democrats.
What they're saying: Lake said in a statement to Axios that she is thankful that "Chairman Daines, one of President Trump's strongest allies is coming to help me campaign."
- Daines said in a statement to Axios that "Arizona is one of our top pickup opportunities in the country and I look forward to campaigning with Kari Lake to flip this seat."
