Kari Lake Runs for Senate After Election Denial

Kari Lake, who lost the 2022 gubernatorial race, is now a frontrunner in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, facing off against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. Analysts predict Lake will secure the nomination in the upcoming Tuesday contest. Meanwhile, Congressman Ruben Gallego's Senate bid has opened up a competitive race for his House seat in a solidly Democratic district, where former state lawmaker Raquel Terán is contending against ex-Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari. Several Republicans who previously promoted election falsehoods and lost their 2022 races are re-entering the political arena. Abe Hamadeh, who narrowly lost the attorney general race, is vying for the congressional seat of Debbie Lesko in a crowded primary. Former state lawmaker Mark Finchem, who contested the secretary of state position, is also running for a state senate seat against moderate Republican Ken Bennett. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, which faced significant pressure from Trump and his allies during the 2020 election, is under scrutiny as the primaries approach. Two supervisors, Bill Gates and Clint Hickman, have opted not to seek re-election due to ongoing threats. Gates's seat will see a contest between Republican Kate Brophy McGee and challenger Tabatha LaVoie, who emphasizes restoring voter confidence in elections. In Congressional District 1, incumbent David Schweikert faces challenges from both Republican and Democratic candidates, reflecting a growing vulnerability in his position following recent electoral trends.