Gallego leads in polls and funding for Arizona Senate race

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is currently leading in both fundraising and polling in the race for the U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, which is being vacated by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Gallego has raised $8.2 million for his campaign, significantly outpacing his opponent, Republican Kari Lake, who has raised just over $2 million. Recent polling from Marist College indicates that Gallego is ahead by 10 points among likely voters, with 54% supporting him compared to 44% for Lake. The political landscape in Arizona has shifted in recent years, moving from a Republican stronghold to a more competitive battleground. This change was highlighted by the Democratic victories in the 2022 elections, which saw the party gain control of key statewide offices. Gallego's strong fundraising and polling numbers reflect this trend, as he capitalizes on the Democratic momentum in the state. Kari Lake, who previously ran for governor and lost to Democrat Katie Hobbs, has faced challenges in her campaign, including claims of biased polling from her spokesperson. Despite her efforts to rally support, Lake's fundraising has not matched Gallego's, which may hinder her campaign's effectiveness. Both candidates are set to debate on October 9, which could be a pivotal moment in the race. As Arizona continues to evolve politically, the outcome of this Senate race will be closely watched, potentially influencing the balance of power in the Senate.