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Arizona Senate Race: Ruben Gallego vs. Kari Lake – Key Issues and Candidates

The Arizona Senate race between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake is critical to the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. With major issues like abortion and border security dominating the debate, the outcome will reflect Arizona’s political direction and its influence on national politics.

Lead Art: Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), left, greets Republican challenger Kari Lake prior to their debate, on Oct. 9, 2024, in Phoenix. | Joe Rondone/Arizona Republic via AP)

Arizona Senate Race: Key Battle for Senate Control The Arizona Senate race has become a focal point in national politics, with significant implications for Senate control. Democrat Ruben Gallego is competing against Republican Kari Lake in a contest that will gauge the state’s political leanings, following years of shifting demographics and political landscape changes.


Arizona’s Political Shift: A Swing State in Focus Arizona, once a reliably Republican state, has witnessed a leftward shift in recent elections. Democrats now control the governorship and both Senate seats, signaling their growing influence. This year, the contest between Gallego and Lake is being closely watched as a test of how enduring that shift may be.


Ruben Gallego vs. Kari Lake: The Candidates Ruben Gallego, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and sitting U.S. representative, has maintained a steady lead in the polls against Kari Lake, a former television anchor and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump. Lake narrowly lost the Arizona governor’s race in 2022, while Gallego has represented Phoenix in Congress since 2015.


Key Issues: Abortion and Border Security Two of the most contentious issues in this race are abortion and border security. Gallego has attacked Lake for supporting the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, while Lake has criticized Gallego for downplaying his progressive past and not doing enough to secure the southern border. Arizona voters will also weigh in on a ballot measure to overturn the state’s 15-week abortion ban.


Personal Liabilities of the Candidates Both candidates have faced personal challenges during the campaign. Lake’s refusal to accept her loss in the 2022 governor’s race, as well as her continued denial of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory, have sparked controversy. Meanwhile, Gallego’s personal life came under scrutiny as divorce files from his previous marriage to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego were made public, though they revealed little of note.


High Stakes in the Arizona Senate Race The Arizona Senate seat is vital for both parties. A win for Gallego would secure Democratic control of a key seat and provide the party with a more progressive voice. Conversely, a win for Lake would strengthen the influence of Donald Trump’s political faction, sending a high-profile Trump supporter to the Senate.

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