Decision Desk HQ Declares Projected Winner In Arizona Senate Race

Decision Desk HQ has declared Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego the projected winner to become Arizona’s next senator.

“Decision Desk HQ projects Ruben Gallego (D) wins the US Senate election in Arizona,” the outlet wrote.

Decision Desk HQ projects Ruben Gallego (D) wins the US Senate election in Arizona.#DecisionMade: 8:57 PM EDT

Follow live results here:https://t.co/Dalbgd1kjG pic.twitter.com/7uYO8QdVjH

— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) November 10, 2024

With 88% reporting, Decision Desk HQ has Gallego ahead of Lake 49.7% to 48.2% (about 45,000 votes).

* Image from Decision Desk HQ *

From the New York Post:

Gallego, an incumbent congressman in a Phoenix-area district since 2015, and Lake, a former local news anchor who previously ran for governor, faced off for the seat Democrat-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema will soon vacate.

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Both candidates aimed to tackle moderate and disaffected voters, particularly Republicans. Gallego won the endorsement of the Arizona Police Association, which backed President-elect Donald Trump.

“I am proud to have the APA’s support and look forward to working with them in the Senate to ensure Arizona’s law enforcement officers have the resources necessary to combat fentanyl trafficking, train the next generation of officers, and, above all, keep Arizona families safe,” Gallego said of the APA endorsement.

Meanwhile, Lake won the endorsements of Ducey and her former gubernatorial primary rival Karrin Taylor Robson – two key figures who are considered popular among moderate Republicans and some independents.

BREAKING: Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is projected to beat Republican Kari Lake in Arizona Senate race https://t.co/k4cz1Mwtud

— The Hill (@thehill) November 10, 2024

The Hill reports:

His victory comes as a small but significant relief for Democrats, who had a crushingly disappointing election cycle this year. Though they managed to protect their Senate seats in the battleground states of Nevada, Wisconsin and Michigan, in addition to Arizona, they also lost seats in Ohio, Montana and West Virginia, and look poised to lose in Pennsylvania as well. They also lost control of the White House, while their prospects for keeping the House look exceedingly dim.

Lake is a former local news anchor who previously ran for Arizona governor in 2022, narrowly losing to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D). Lake became well known during her 2022 bid as a prominent election denier — something that came back to haunt her again during her Senate bid even as she continued to fight her 2022 loss in court.

Lake also attracted controversy over some of her remarks. She angered some Republicans for making critical statements invoking the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — statements she argued that were made in jest.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.