Tune in to "Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju" on CNN at 11 a.m. ET to catch the latest updates on the US Senate race in Arizona.
GOP leaders have advised Kari Lake, a candidate for the Arizona Senate, to focus on a positive and future-oriented campaign message rather than dwelling on past election issues.
Lake did mention that she is focused on her upcoming competition with Democratic candidate Rep. Ruben Gallego. However, she has not completely followed the advice given to her. Despite her main concern being the Senate seat she is vying for in a battleground state, the former TV broadcaster continues to support former President Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories when questioned on the matter.
During a recent interview with CNN, Lake reiterated her belief that there were significant issues with her unsuccessful run for governor and made false claims about the 2020 election being "rigged."
"I think the election was rigged. I truly believe it was. However, I am focused on moving forward," she stated during the interview set to air on Sunday's "Inside Politics" with Manu Raju. Lake also mentioned that she continues to address the topic while campaigning in Arizona, as it is a matter of great importance to the people she meets on the campaign trail.
"I want elections to be honest so that every voter, whether they are a liberal Democrat or a conservative Republican, can trust that their vote is counted. It is important that we have results on election night that we can all accept because we believe the process was fair. Unfortunately, that is not the case right now."
Trump's claims of election fraud have been rejected not only by the courts but also by many officials who worked for him. Lake lost her own election to Democrat Katie Hobbs by over 17,000 votes, mainly because voters who chose Republican candidates in other races did not vote for Lake.
Lake continues to cling to election denialism, a key aspect of her identity as a MAGA firebrand, despite her pledge to focus on the future. This suggests that it could be difficult to temper some of her far-right tendencies, even as mainstream Republicans urge her to moderate her language leading up to the upcoming crucial election.
Before Lake officially entered the race, Senator Steve Daines of Montana, who leads the Senate GOP's campaign efforts, mentioned to CNN that he would advise her to shift her focus towards discussing future plans.
"I believe one important lesson from 2022 is that voters are not interested in hearing about past grievances," stated Daines, who recently supported Lake's campaign. "What they want to know is what you can offer for the future. By focusing on forward-looking plans rather than dwelling on the past, our candidates can attract more independent voters, who often determine election outcomes."
GOP Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, who has endorsed Lake and accompanied her during her visit to the Capitol, emphasized the need to address the concerns of Arizona residents. He advised Lake to prioritize topics such as the border, which is currently experiencing significant challenges.
Lake avoided directly answering whether she still believes her own race was stolen, shifting the conversation to immigration and the border. However, before discussing these topics, she baselessly questioned the integrity of the 2022 Arizona election results, despite other GOP candidates winning statewide that year.
"We faced significant issues in our election, and we are actively working to address these concerns. There are still ongoing court cases," Lake stated. "Looking ahead to the next election, my primary concern is that my opponent, who I consider radical, is advocating for 9 to 12 million individuals who entered the country illegally to have voting rights. He wants all of them to be able to vote, which I believe is unjust."
Gallego voted last year to support a DC law that would permit around 50,000 noncitizens, including undocumented immigrants and foreign diplomats, to participate in local elections. However, Democrats claim that Lake's comments on immigration mirror extreme right-wing theories suggesting that the party is trying to secure an electoral advantage by allowing immigrants into the country intentionally.
When questioned by CNN for a response, Gallego presented his State of the Union guests, both of whom had served in Iraq alongside the congressman, and stated: "Marine combat veterans are not radicals."
When asked for more thoughts, a spokesperson for the Gallego campaign told CNN that Lake is willing to go to extreme lengths to gain power, such as pushing for abortion bans and disputing the outcomes of the 2020 and 2022 elections.
The campaign spokeswoman, Hannah Goss, added that Lake shows disrespect towards our military heroes, supports individuals who attacked law enforcement on January 6th, and struggles to unite people in addressing important issues. Goss emphasized that Arizona deserves better leadership.
CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the tension between Kari Lake's desire to focus on the future in her Arizona Senate campaign and her continued support for Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories. Despite advice from GOP leaders to adopt a positive message, Lake has reiterated her belief in election fraud, both in her own gubernatorial race and the 2020 presidential election. Her adherence to these unfounded claims suggests that she may struggle to appeal to a broader electorate in a crucial battleground state.
While Lake has expressed concern about issues like the border and immigration, her comments on election integrity raise questions about her commitment to fair and transparent elections. Her opponents have accused her of promoting extreme right-wing theories and disrespecting military veterans. It remains to be seen whether Lake can balance her desire to connect with Trump's base with the need to attract moderate voters in order to be successful in the upcoming election. and could lead to further divisions and instability in the future.
