In Arizona, former television news anchor Kari Lake is running for the U.S. Senate against Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego in a crucial race that could determine control of the Senate next year. Lake gained national prominence as a figure in former President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement after stepping down as a news anchor to run for Arizona governor in 2021. Polls show Gallego leading Lake by double digits, with issues such as inflation, immigration, abortion, and housing being key factors influencing Arizona voters in November.
Affordable housing and inflation are top concerns for voters in Arizona, with 52 percent citing inflation as their top issue and 38 percent citing affordable housing. Arizona’s housing market has been strained by rising home prices and a shortage of affordable housing, with Phoenix home prices increasing by 13.8 percent in the past year. Lake has pledged to tackle inflation by addressing government spending and regulations that hinder housing development, while proposing solutions such as a construction trade school assistance program to train workers to build new homes.
Gallego has advocated for increased funding for Housing Choice Vouchers to help low-income households in Arizona’s communities, which are experiencing rapid population growth. He has introduced a bill in the House that would allocate an additional $2 billion to address affordable housing issues. Both candidates have put forth different approaches to addressing the housing crisis, with voters trusting Gallego more on the issue of affordable housing and inflation.
Immigration is a significant issue in the Arizona Senate race, with Arizona being a border state. Lake has supported building a wall at the border and has proposed issuing a Declaration of Invasion on day one in office to address border security. In contrast, Gallego has argued that a full-fledged southern border wall is a waste of taxpayer dollars and has advocated for increased funding for border patrol and technology. Gallego also supports comprehensive immigration reforms and protections for Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as minors.
Abortion rights have emerged as a key issue in the Arizona Senate race, with 50 percent of Democrats choosing it as their top issue. Lake has described abortion as “the ultimate sin” and has expressed support for laws to restrict reproductive rights. She has praised Arizona’s 15-week abortion ban and is in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade. In contrast, Gallego has argued for enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution to protect women’s reproductive rights. Polling shows that Arizona voters trust Gallego more on the issue of abortion.
As the race for the Arizona Senate seat continues, Lake and Gallego are focusing on key issues such as affordable housing, inflation, immigration, and abortion to appeal to voters. The outcome of the race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate next year. Voters in Arizona are grappling with economic challenges, immigration concerns, and reproductive rights issues, shaping their decisions in the upcoming election. Both candidates are presenting contrasting approaches to addressing these issues, with their positions influencing voter trust and preferences on critical policy matters.
