Former Arizona Governor Ducey Bridges Divide, Backs Trump and Lake for Victory

PHOENIX — In a strategic move amid significant political tensions, former Republican Governor Doug Ducey has officially endorsed Donald Trump for president and Kari Lake for U.S. Senate. Ducey’s endorsement marks a shift in his relationship with Trump and Lake, both of whom previously disputed Arizona’s election outcomes.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ducey emphasized the urgency of the upcoming election. He stated, “Differences aside, there is too much on the line,” advocating for a Republican administration to secure vital issues like border control and educational reform.

“Much is on the line this election year, and I’m encouraging all eligible Arizonans to vote,” Ducey remarked, reinforcing the importance of civic participation.

This endorsement follows a history of conflict. Both Trump and Lake have repeatedly asserted, without concrete evidence, that their elections were compromised. In November 2020, Trump pressured Ducey to overturn his electoral defeat, which set the stage for ongoing tensions. Lake, meanwhile, has sought to have her past gubernatorial loss overturned in court, despite previously losing multiple legal challenges.

Ducey had previously referred to Lake as “fake” during her gubernatorial campaign, while Lake labeled him “do-nothing Ducey.” These personal attacks have given way to a tentative alliance as they both seek success in the upcoming elections.

Despite his support for Lake, Ducey sponsored her opponent in the primary, Karrin Taylor Robson, who ultimately lost. Following that, Ducey shifted gears to endorse Lake in the general election, which she also lost.

The former governor’s political journey has seen substantial challenges, especially following his decision to certify the 2020 election results. This action drew harsh criticism from Trump, who attempted to reach Ducey in the midst of the certification process. Video recordings depicted Ducey receiving Trump’s call while signing the document—an image of political discord.

Now serving as the leader of Citizens for Free Enterprise, Ducey continues to navigate Arizona’s political landscape, which is presently a battleground state. Election analysts describe Arizona as a toss-up for the forthcoming presidential contest, particularly following the Democratic ticket announcement featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Recent polling following the Arizona primary indicated troubling trends for Lake, who trails Democratic opponent Congressman Ruben Gallego by 11 percentage points. Despite setbacks, Lake has publicly affirmed her unwavering support for Trump.

Ducey’s endorsement of both candidates is seen as a potential lifeline for Lake as she endeavors to regain Republican support. However, during her previous campaign, she significantly lagged behind other Republican candidates, hinting at a deeper fracture within the party.

With only a narrow margin of defeat in the last election, the loss of Republican votes could prove critical for Lake as she heads into a fiercely contested race.