Arizona Republican Kari Lake has received new backing in her bid for the U.S. Senate after Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) announced on Feb. 27 that he will be endorsing Ms. Lake as a candidate.
“Kari Lake is a battle-tested warrior who will secure the border and advocate for policies that put the American people first,” said Mr. Vance in a statement to the Daily Caller.
He said that he was proud to endorse her for the position.
“Kari is running against a far-left Democrat who has been a rubber stamp for all of Joe Biden’s destructive policies that have gutted the middle class. I am proud to endorse Kari as the next U.S. Senator for Arizona,” he said.
Ms. Lake said she is honored to have received the backing of the Ohio Senator.
“I am humbled to have the endorsement of Sen. J.D. Vance. He has been a conservative hero in the Senate, standing up for America First values and never backing down to the D.C. Swamp. I look forward to joining him in the Senate to get our country back on track,” she said.
In addition to having the backing of former President Donald Trump, Ms. Lake has also received endorsements from Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.).
Ms. Lake, who ran for Governor of Arizona in 2022 (though without success), is a firm favorite to win the GOP primary in the state. If successful, she will likely be facing independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Democratic Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego—although it is currently unclear whether Ms. Sinema will run for another term.
According to Cook Political, the state is a political toss-up, providing a good opportunity for Senate Republicans when compared to more left-leaning states, such as Pennsylvania.
Currently, Ms. Lake has a slight lead over Gallego, according to two recent polls.
“The survey by Democratic-leaning firm PPP, released Wednesday, showed registered voters in Arizona are … 45 percent supporting Gallego & 46 percent supporting Lake,” Ms. Lake posted on X in January.
She registered her Senate campaign committee with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) in early October.
Mr. Vance’s endorsement of Ms. Lake is the latest development for a campaign that continues to gain traction.