Staff Reports
Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake has been making moves to erase her past controversial statements and win over some former opponents who she previously attacked without remorse. In her recent conversation with NBC News’s Vaughn Hillyard, Lake acknowledged that she’s not perfect and sometimes says things in the rough-and-tumble world of politics. But despite her attempts to smooth things over, Lake’s history of attacking centrist Republicans, including the well-respected former Sen. John McCain, during her failed 2022 gubernatorial campaign hasn’t been easily forgotten.
During her gubernatorial bid, Lake proudly boasted about dismantling what she called the “McCain machine” and openly called for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, directly taking aim at Sen. McCain’s legacy. Her relentless attacks on the late senator, who still holds esteem among moderate voters in the state, have made her efforts to reconcile with former foes a tough sell. Even her outreach to prominent figures such as former Govs. Doug Ducey and Jan Brewer, as well as Meghan McCain, has been met with resistance.
Despite her tarnished relationships within the party, Lake is determined to court Republicans who didn’t support her in 2022. She touted herself as the “most popular Republican in the state with independents,” emphasizing the support she claims to have among the nonpartisan voters. Lake insisted that her core beliefs haven’t changed and expressed hope for a fair election process in the future, seemingly doubling down on her previous contentious stance.
With the backing of nearly 30 Republican senators and a razor-thin lead over Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in recent polling, Lake’s campaign is gaining momentum in what could be a crucial opportunity for Republicans to regain control of the Senate. The exit of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema from the upcoming reelection race has intensified the competition, potentially tilting the scales in favor of the conservative candidate.
In the midst of her efforts to revitalize her political image, Lake is navigating a grueling race that will test her ability to bridge the gap with former adversaries and sway undecided voters. As she continues to make amends while standing by her convictions, the upcoming Senate election in Arizona will undoubtedly be a fiery showdown with high stakes for both parties.
