Democrat Ruben Gallego Garners Unexpected Republican Backing in Heated Arizona Senate Race Against Kari Lake

WILMINGTON, Del. — In a significant move for Arizona’s political landscape, Democrat Ruben Gallego is highlighting Republican backing for his Senate campaign. His team released a comprehensive list Sunday, including 39 Republican and independent supporters, featuring several ex-Republicans who held various influential roles.

Prominent figures on the list include former aides to the late Sen. John McCain, a notable Arizona Republican known for his occasional divergence from the party line. This endorsement holds further weight given Gallego’s Republican opponent, Kari Lake, had previously criticized McCain.

Gallego’s campaign is part of a broader trend where Democrats have made strides in Arizona after years of GOP dominance. Despite Republicans maintaining a higher number of registered voters, recent elections have shown Democrats inching ahead through a coalition involving loyal Democrats, independents, and disaffected Republicans.

According to AP VoteCast, around six in ten independent voters and about one in ten Republican voters supported President Joe Biden in 2020. Similar trends were observed for Sen. Mark Kelly and Gov. Katie Hobbs, reinforcing the shifting political currents in Arizona.

On the same day Gallego made his announcement, Vice President Kamala Harris also launched a campaign to attract Republican supporters, showing a coordinated effort from the Democratic side to court conservative votes.

Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor and ardent supporter of Donald Trump, has a contentious reputation for propagating debunked election fraud theories. She has openly labeled Gallego as a liberal who aligns closely with President Biden and Vice President Harris.

Gallego’s campaign emphasizes his military background and humble beginnings, seeking to resonate with a broader voter base beyond his current Phoenix district. He openly criticizes some Biden administration policies, particularly concerning the U.S.-Mexico border, and views the Senate filibuster as a barrier to significant legislative action on key issues.

Supporters of Gallego, like Mesa Mayor John Giles and Paul Hickman, a former state director for McCain, underline his commitment to service and bipartisan appeal. Giles condemned the extremists in the GOP, while Hickman highlighted Gallego’s long-standing service to state and country as a virtue.

In contrast, Lake’s support remains shaky despite her primary win, evidenced by Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb securing a significant vote share despite being heavily outspent. Lake’s victory speech included outreach to those who opposed her, marking a departure from her previous confrontational strategies.

A Lake spokesperson reiterated that all Republicans share many common values, criticizing Gallego’s alignment with the Biden administration.

**Associated Press polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux contributed to this report.**