Far-right Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, known for her staunch support of former President Trump, has reversed her recent attempts to moderate her MAGA rhetoric. In a Tuesday interview with Punchbowl News, Lake stated her intention to focus on Trump supporters, dismissing concerns about appealing to center-right voters.
“I honestly believe that the America First agenda is the greatest way for people in the middle,” Lake said. “Unfortunately, we have to push back against a very corrupt media that’s trying to paint this movement as extremist. Frankly, I don’t see anything extremist.” She argued that Arizona is central to Trump’s political movement, citing issues like border policy and trafficking as key concerns. “Arizona is at the center of the political universe. We’re taking incoming from a terrible border policy, we’re seeing the cartels run our border, illegals pouring in, human trafficking, child sex trafficking, fentanyl trafficking.”
Punchbowl reporter Andrew Desiderio shared his perspective on Lake’s strategy via social media platform X, calling it a “risky gamble.” He noted, “In a 20-min interview, Lake made clear she has no interest in tacking to the center, betting the McCain coalition that swung statewide elections for Dems in 20 & 22 will come home to the GOP no matter what.”
Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain, responded bluntly to Lake’s approach: “F–k around and find out Kari.” McCain’s remark highlighted the ongoing feud between the two, which reignited after Lake’s recent comments. Lake had previously told McCain supporters to “get the hell out” of the GOP, later seeking forgiveness after backlash.
Lake, a former Phoenix news anchor, gained notoriety for refusing to concede her election loss in the governor’s race against Democrat Katie Hobbs. She has since filed multiple lawsuits attempting to overturn or redo the election results, all of which have been dismissed by the courts.
The Senate race sees Lake facing off against Democratic Congressman and former Marine Ruben Gallego for the seat being vacated by retiring independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema. As the race progresses, Lake’s adherence to Trump’s rhetoric and her combative stance against the McCain coalition may play a pivotal role in the outcome.