Jul 30, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Kari Lake wins Arizona GOP Senate primary

Ivana Saric

Kari Lake appears on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee — Kari Lake at the Republican National Convention on July 16 in Milwaukee. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Kari Lake on Tuesday won Arizona's Republican primary in the state's closely watched Senate race, AP projects.

Why it matters: Lake will face off with Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in the race to replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), a contest that could decide control of the U.S. Senate.

Lake is an ally of former President Trump and has echoed his false claims about the 2020 election being stolen.

State of play: Lake clinched the Republican nomination for Arizona's U.S. Senate seat after beating out Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, another Trump supporter, and neuroscientist Elizabeth Reye.

Gallego ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Lake, who has outraised Gallego, has attacked her Democratic opponent on issues of crime and immigration.

The big picture: Arizona is a critical battleground state in the 2024 presidential race and could tilt the balance of power in the Senate if Lake wins in November.

Sinema — a longtime Democrat who became an independent in December 2022 — announced in March that she would not seek re-election this year.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) told donors last month that the Arizona Senate race was "an absolute toss-up," despite the fact that Gallego has consistently polled ahead of Lake.

Flashback: Lake previously ran for governor of Arizona in 2022 and has yet to accept her defeat in that race.

Go deeper: Scoop: Kari Lake bags $4.1 million to start 2024

Add Axios on Google

Kari Lake wins Arizona GOP Senate primary

What to read next