Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is expected to secure a win against Republican Kari Lake in a critical Senate race, marking a second consecutive electoral defeat for the former news anchor, as reported by Decision Desk HQ.
Gallego, who has represented a Phoenix-based district in the House for nearly ten years, will replace the outgoing Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who decided against running for reelection after switching her political affiliation from Democrat to Independent last year, facing tough re-election odds.
Kari Lake faces another electoral setback as Gallego claims Arizona Senate seat
Gallego’s Senate challenge came before Sinema publicly declared her decision not to seek another term, creating a temporary dilemma for Senate Democrats as they may have had to choose between supporting different members of their party.
Drawing on his personal background as the child of a single mother with Mexican and Colombian heritage, Gallego highlighted his military service in the Marines as part of his campaign.
His win provides a small but important boost for Democrats following a disheartening election cycle. While the party successfully defended Senate seats in battleground states like Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona, they also saw losses in Ohio, Montana, and West Virginia, and may lose in Pennsylvania as well. Additionally, they lost control of the White House and face challenges in maintaining their position in the House.
Lake, who previously ran for Arizona governor in 2022 and narrowly lost to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, gained notoriety for her strong stance as an election denier, a position that continued to dog her Senate campaign as she contested her 2022 loss in court.
Controversy also surrounded Lake’s remarks, including criticism from some Republicans over her comments about the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), which she later claimed were made in jest.
Lake’s outspoken views included calling abortion the “ultimate sin” and praising a now-repealed 1864 law that banned nearly all abortions in the state. During her Senate run, Lake maintained she would not support a federal abortion ban, arguing that decisions about abortion restrictions should be made by individual states.
Though Lake faced a challenge in the GOP primary from Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, she was widely regarded as the party’s frontrunner. At the same time, Gallego’s Senate bid was scrutinized, with critics questioning his record and past positions on issues like immigration and the border. Some pointed to earlier comments he made, calling President-elect Trump’s border wall “stupid” and “dumb.”
Gallego, once a member of the House Progressive Caucus, let his membership lapse, citing unpaid dues. Republicans worked to nationalize the race, linking Gallego to figures like Vice President Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in campaign ads.
