Apr 14, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Kari Lake bags $4.1 million to start 2024

Stephen Neukam

Arizona Republican Senate Candidate Kari Lake speaks with reporters after leaving the office of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Capitol Hill on March, 6 2024 in Washington, DC. — Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake speaks with reporters after leaving the office of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell last month. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Arizona Republican Kari Lake raised $4.1 million in the first three months of the year, lagging behind her Democratic opponent for the state's Senate seat, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The fundraising haul is one of the best for a Republican challenger this cycle, but it was nearly doubled by Rep. Ruben Gallego's (D-Ariz.) first-quarter performance.

Lake's campaign now has $2.5 million cash on hand.
She trailed only Pennsylvania Republican Dave McCormick as the top-raising GOP challenger nationwide.
Gallego raised $7.5 million to start the year, with $9.6 million cash on hand.

The big picture: An Arizona Supreme Court decision this month that essentially banned abortion in the state catapulted the already high-stakes race to one of the most important of the cycle.

Arizona is also ground zero for the fight over border security and immigration, which Lake has made a centerpiece of her campaign.
Lake was quick to distance herself from the Arizona Supreme Court ruling.
Gallego has moderated his stance on the border, pressing the Biden administration to offer an emergency declaration because of the crisis.

By the numbers: Lake raised over $1.3 million in small-dollar contributions from almost 22,000 donors.

With Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) retiring, polling shows a tight race between Lake and Gallego, with the Democrat having a slight advantage seven months out from Election Day.

What they're saying: Lake's campaign trumpeted the fact that she doubled her fundraising figure from last quarter.

"Just like President Trump, Kari is performing strong in Arizona and will win in November," the Lake campaign said in a statement.

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Scoop: Kari Lake bags $4.1 million to start 2024

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