Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, has emerged victorious in the race for Arizona’s open Senate seat, defeating Republican Kari Lake, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump. Gallego has been serving in the House of Representatives since 2015, representing the 7th and 3rd congressional districts in Arizona. Lake, who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor in 2022, was defeated by Gov. Katie Hobbs. Despite citing fraud concerns in the state, Lake still believes there were significant irregularities in the 2020 and 2022 elections, echoing claims made by Trump and his supporters. This has led to the Republican National Committee devoting resources to election integrity efforts.
In the Arizona Senate race, Lake faced off against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Republican primary, while Gallego ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Fox News Power Rankings and the Cook Political Report both considered the race to lean Democrat. The Senate seat is currently held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who was elected as a Democrat but has since registered as an independent. Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin are known for their role in upholding the legislative filibuster’s 60-vote threshold, going against their fellow Democrats. Both senators have decided not to seek re-election.
Leading up to the Senate election, Gallego consistently polled ahead of Lake by single digits. Despite Lake’s close ties to Trump, who had higher poll numbers in the state, Gallego’s connection with Latino voters may have fueled split-ticket voting in Arizona. Experts speculated that this practice, which has become rare, could have worked in Gallego’s favor. While Lake emphasized her relationship with Trump during her campaign, Gallego did not do the same with Vice President Kamala Harris. This strategic decision may have paid off for Gallego in securing the Senate seat.
In the aftermath of the election, Lake’s challenge to the results due to fraud concerns has drawn attention to the issue of election integrity in Arizona. With the Republican National Committee dedicating significant resources to this effort, the matter of voter fraud and irregularities continues to be a contentious issue in the state. Gallego’s victory signals a successful campaign that capitalized on his connection with Latino voters and potentially resonated with split-ticket voters in Arizona.
The decision by both Sinema and Manchin not to run for re-election has created an open Senate race in Arizona, with Gallego emerging as the winner. In a state where politics can be complex and unpredictable, the outcome of this race reflects the shifting dynamics of Arizona’s political landscape. Moving forward, Gallego’s win may have broader implications for the Democratic Party and its efforts to appeal to diverse voting blocs in key battleground states like Arizona. As the new senator from Arizona, Gallego will have the opportunity to represent the interests of the state’s residents and contribute to shaping national policies on a variety of issues.
