TL/DR –
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake has declined to participate in a debate with her Republican rival, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. Lake has previously referred to Lamb as a “total coward” and accused him of failing to enforce election laws, while Lamb has stated there was no evidence of widespread fraud. Lake has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and the backing of most Senate Republicans, while nine of the state’s other 14 county sheriffs have condemned Lake’s attack on Lamb.
U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake Declines Debate with Rival Mark Lamb
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake has officially declined to participate in a debate with her Republican competitor, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, leaving him to conduct a solo question-and-answer session later this month.
Lake’s decision follows the controversy she stirred by calling Lamb a “total coward” in a forum that included both candidates. She also frequently referred to Democrat Katie Hobbs as a “coward” during her 2022 gubernatorial campaign.
Lake’s campaign has not yet commented on her decision to skip the June 26 debate hosted by the nonpartisan Clean Elections Commission. Instead, Lamb will field questions alone for 30 minutes.
Arizona Candidates Running for US Senate in 2024
While Lake’s team had hinted she would participate in an Arizona Republican Party-led debate, Lamb’s camp confirmed in May that no such event was planned.
Since entering the Senate race last October, Lake has avoided mentioning Lamb in public. Meanwhile, she frequently brings up U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, the sole Democrat in the race for the seat held by retiring U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
In a recent forum, Lake lambasted Lamb for his failure to enforce election laws in his county. She defended her fight for election integrity, criticizing Lamb’s lack of action.
Lamb, however, claims he found no evidence of widespread fraud in his county. He believes Lake started complaining about election problems only after she lost the 2022 gubernatorial election.
Endorsed by former President Donald Trump and backed by most Senate Republicans, Lake has been vocal about her support. Lamb, on the other hand, highlights his election victories and governmental agency experience.
Last week, nine of Arizona’s other 14 county sheriffs publicly criticized Lake for her attack on Lamb, calling her comment “unfounded and disrespectful” and expecting better from a Senate candidate.
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