“Moderate-Courting Kari Lake Dances on a Tightrope: GOP Senate Pickup in Peril

The battle to control the United States Senate may rest on the shoulders of one Arizona woman. Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for Arizona’s open Senate seat, faces an uphill climb to win the close race in a state that has recently trended away from the party. Lake’s opponent, Democrat Mark Kelly, has a strong lead in many polls, and it appears that Lake may be looking to court moderate voters to bolster her support. However, her attempt to do so has been hampered by missteps and her connection to an unpopular local Sheriff Joe Arpaio, as well as her ill-advised support for President Donald Trump, which has alienated many in the state. It is clear that the race is in a deadlock, and whether or not Republican leader Mitch McConnell will be able to continue his majorities in the senate may depend on Lake’s ability to attract moderate voters. To do so, she must distance herself from her polarizing political views and embrace more centrist issues, such as immigration and infrastructure investment, to demonstrate that she is better suited to represent the people of Arizona. However, her recent attempts to do so have failed. Aside from her support of Arpaio, Lake failed to connect with moderates when she made comments in support of repealing the Affordable Care Act, an action that would drastically reduce coverage for many of the state’saverage citizens. The stakes are high in the race and many feel that Lake’s unsettling connection to Arpaio, and her inability to sufficiently differentiate herself from the President, have put her and the Republican Party at a disadvantage. If she is unable to prove to the public that she understands the issues that matter to the moderate voter, the GOP’s Senate majority may be at stake. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the election is in a state that has recently trended away from the Republican Party. The Democrats have held the Senate seat since 1988, and it appears unlikely that Lake can overcome that record. The race for the Arizona Senate seat this November is a reflection of the wider struggle for control of the Senate as a whole. It is clear that Kari Lake needs to become more moderate-friendly if she hopes to truly win the election. How successful she is in doing so will determine just how much Republicans can gain from this key race.