Lake may find herself part of a rare three-way contest for the seat of Sen. Krysten Sinema, who became an Independent.
Kari Lake, a former Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate, has officially submitted paperwork to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), announcing her bid for the U.S. Senate.
After months of “seriously considering,” Ms. Lake confirmed her intentions for a 2024 Senate campaign last week to The Wall Street Journal. Her campaign filed the necessary paperwork on Tuesday, a week before her scheduled public announcement on Oct. 10.
Ms. Lake’s goal is to secure the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). She has emphasized the need for “a senator in there who is going to fight back and put America first.”
In an interview with the WSJ published last week, Ms. Lake, a prominent conservative and vocal supporter of Republican former President Donald Trump, revealed that she would formally announce her candidacy on Oct. 10, with an announcement event planned in Scottsdale, reported AZ Central.
She teased her announcement in a video posted on X last week, featuring news clips and interviews speculating on her potential campaign, urging her followers to “stay tuned.”
Ms. Lake’s entry into the race is expected to make it one of the most closely watched contests in the upcoming 2024 election. The outcome of this pivotal race could potentially shift the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Arizona, traditionally a Republican stronghold, saw President Joe Biden narrowly win in 2020, and Democrats have claimed victory in the last three Senate elections. Furthermore, the state’s GOP is grappling with recent losses in key statewide races, including the governor and secretary of state positions.
Ms. Lake’s candidacy may complicate the contest for Ms. Sinema’s seat, potentially leading to a three-way general election. Ms. Sinema, who left the Democratic Party to become an Independent in December, has not yet announced whether she intends to run for reelection.
Meanwhile, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, a Republican, has already declared his candidacy for the seat, and it is expected that Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) will be the Democratic nominee.
