TL/DR –
Former U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake has announced her withdrawal from Arizona’s gubernatorial race and plans to support President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. instead. Lake’s decision comes after a period of controversy surrounding her claims that the 2022 election was “rigged”, and a day before Trump endorsed a different Republican candidate for the same role. Lake, who was once a close ally of Trump, was recently selected by him to lead Voice of America, a government-funded international news outlet.
Former U.S. Senate Candidate Steps Out of Politics after Trump’s Endorsement
Former U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, who gained national fame for defending baseless election fraud claims, is stepping away from politics. This comes after President-elect Donald Trump endorsed a different Republican candidate for Arizona’s gubernatorial race.
Lake announced her decision at AmericaFest, an annual conference organized by conservative youth group Turning Point USA. “I am gonna go help President Trump in Washington, D.C. That’s what I’m gonna do,” Lake stated.
Her decision comes after Trump’s endorsement of Republican Karrin Taylor Robson for the 2026 Arizona governor race. Robson had lost the 2022 Republican primary to Lake, who later lost to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Trump Allies Preview Policy Fights
Several Arizona politicians took the stage at AmericaFest, praising Trump’s key initiatives and previewing policy battles ahead of the new administration. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., mentioned that he and some colleagues are preparing legislation ahead of Trump’s swearing in on Jan. 20.
Biggs referred to a recent meeting with Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar”, discussing the deportation of long-term illegal immigrants. Biggs applauded Homan’s stance that crossing the border illegally constituted a law violation.
Rep. Eli Crane, R-Crane, criticized his more moderate GOP colleagues for their stance on federal spending. He recounted a meeting with Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked by Trump with a government efficiency initiative.
Rep.-elect Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., emphasized his commitment to local police. He shared his speaking time with Dave Goitia, president of Glendale’s Fraternal Order of Police, who criticized “woke radical prosecutors focused on political pandering” and supported Trump’s selection of Kash Patel to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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