Republican Kari Lake finds herself significantly behind her Democratic opponent, Rep. Ruben Gallego, in the U.S. Senate race in Arizona, according to a recent Fox News poll. The survey, released on Wednesday, shows Lake, a former TV news anchor and prominent election denier, trailing Gallego by a substantial 15-point margin.
The two candidates are vying for the seat currently held by outgoing Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who has opted not to seek reelection. Lake, who ran for governor in 2022 and narrowly lost to Katie Hobbs, has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the election was rigged against her. Like her political ally, former President Donald Trump, Lake has maintained her stance that she is “the duly elected governor of Arizona.”
The Fox News poll, conducted jointly by Republican and Democratic polling firms, shows Gallego leading Lake 56% to 41%. The poll surveyed 1,014 respondents and carries a margin of error of 3%. This significant lead highlights the uphill battle Lake faces as the race continues to unfold.
Adding to Lake’s challenges, the poor polling results come just two days after a major Arizona police union, which has endorsed Trump, announced its support for Gallego. The union praised Gallego for his consistent efforts to secure substantial funding for law enforcement in Arizona.
“Congressman Gallego has continually fought for robust, increased funding for America’s Law Enforcement, and specifically Arizona Law Enforcement, securing over $168,000,000,000 (BILLION) in direct support of police officers so that they have the personnel and equipment needed to both protect themselves and keep their communities safe,” the union stated.
The Arizona Senate race is part of a broader, challenging landscape for Democrats, who currently hold a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate. The party faces a tough map this cycle, with several seats up for grabs in purple or red states, including Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The same Fox News poll also indicated that in Nevada, Sen. Jacky Rosen is leading her Republican opponent by 14 points, further emphasizing the competitive nature of this election cycle.
With the election approaching, the stakes are high, and both Lake and Gallego will be looking to solidify their positions in what promises to be a closely watched race.