Democratic Senate nominee Ruben Gallego expressed his disappointment on Wednesday regarding his Republican opponent, Kari Lake, framing their Senate race as a 'battle between good and evil.' Lake emerged victorious in the Republican primary for Senate on Tuesday, vying to succeed retiring independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Gallego, a congressman from the Phoenix area, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Gallego emphasized that he does not view Lake as evil and believes in respectfully disagreeing with those he may not align with politically. He also extended this sentiment to many Arizonans, stating that he does not consider them evil either. He conveyed his sadness at the politicization of the race by Lake, highlighting the importance of maintaining respectful discourse.
During Lake's primary night watch party, she characterized the Arizona Senate race as a battle between good and evil, asserting that it transcends party lines. She framed the competition as a struggle between individuals aiming to dismantle the country and those striving to preserve America.
Arizona holds significance in the upcoming elections as one of the pivotal Senate seats that will influence the control of the chamber in the following year. Democrats have secured victory in the last three Senate elections in Arizona across consecutive election cycles. The streak commenced with Sinema's Democratic triumph in 2018, followed by Mark Kelly's success in a special election in 2020 and subsequently in a full six-year term in 2022.