Ruben Gallego Maintains Edge Over Kari Lake in Competitive Senate Race

Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego maintained a narrow lead in the race for Arizona’s U.S. Senate seat as of Wednesday evening. Republican challenger Kari Lake and her supporters, however, continued to express optimism about her potential victory.

Following the election, some of Lake’s supporters circulated unfounded claims that Democrats were attempting to “steal” the election, reminiscent of her similar assertions after losing the Arizona gubernatorial race in 2022. These allegations echoed her baseless claims regarding the 2020 presidential election results, which she alleged were fraudulent.

As of Wednesday, more than 2.5 million votes had been counted statewide, with an estimated 1 million ballots remaining. Gallego was leading Lake by 2.5 percentage points, having secured 50.1% of the votes compared to Lake’s 47.9%, translating to a margin of 52,578 votes, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

The Associated Press reported that the race remained too close to call, creating an atmosphere of tension as results continued to be tallied.

In a statement on social media, Gallego expressed optimism about the outcome. “We are closely watching as results come in, and we’re feeling very optimistic,” he wrote, thanking supporters and emphasizing the campaign’s connection with Arizonans.

Gallego, a former U.S. Marine and representative of Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District since 2015, engaged in a contentious campaign against Lake. Both candidates traded personal jabs and accusations of extremism, illustrating the intense political climate leading up to the election.

Gallego campaigned on a platform advocating for middle-class affordability, abortion rights, and a balanced approach to border security, including manpower enhancements and the use of technology. His effort attracted some moderate Republican support, with notable endorsements from figures like Mesa Mayor John Giles.

Conversely, Lake aligned closely with former President Trump’s policies, promising to complete the border wall and extend tax cuts. She attempted to frame Gallego as a supporter of President Biden’s policies, particularly criticizing what she termed his “open borders.” Gallego responded by highlighting Lake’s recent shifts in her abortion stance.

Lake’s campaign urged supporters to ensure that their ballots were correctly submitted to avoid disenfranchisement. Despite trailing in polls during the campaign, some of her most fervent followers expressed disbelief that President Trump garnered more votes than she did, with various conspiracy theories emerging on social media.

In her ongoing legal battles, Lake remains unyielding in her challenge to the results of her 2022 gubernatorial loss, and she is also facing potential financial repercussions for defaming Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.