TL/DR –
Arizona’s Republican candidates for U.S. Senate are due to debate on June 26, with participant Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb confirmed to participate. However, candidate Kari Lake, who previously criticized her gubernatorial opponent for not debating, has reportedly declined to attend. A recent CBS/YouGov poll suggests that Lake is currently trailing 13 points behind Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego.
Arizona Senate Candidates Debate Scheduled Ahead of Early Voting
Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Arizona are set to debate on June 26, just a week before early voting commences. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb plans to attend, as confirmed by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission.
However, Kari Lake, who criticized her gubernatorial opponent Katie Hobbs for declining a debate, appears to be sitting out this event, despite previously stating debates are crucial to democracy.
Kari Lake’s Absence from Debate
Lake has not responded to the Clean Elections’ invitation and declined Lamb’s separate challenge to debate earlier in March. Despite being 13 points behind Ruben Gallego in recent polls, she insists she’s not competing against Lamb but against Gallego.
The Clean Elections Commission plans to hold a 30-minute televised Q&A session with Lamb should Lake decline the invitation.
Mark Lamb: A Trump-Style Candidate Minus the Controversy
Lamb, who shares many of Lake’s conservative views without the associated controversy, has been focused on law and order and border security. He’s won two elections to date, but lacks Trump’s endorsement and broader recognition of his Senate campaign.
Lake’s Dwindling Support in Polls
A recent CBS/YouGov poll showed just 36% of voters would choose Lake if the election were today, compared to 49% for Gallego. Even among Republican voters, Lake only garnered 73% support. Her campaign claims internal polling shows the race is tied and insists she is “closely aligned with President Trump.”
Concerns Over Lake’s Potential Nomination
Since the poll, Lamb’s campaign has received numerous calls from concerned Republicans. They fear if Lake is the nominee, the U.S. Senate could be lost and Trump could lose Arizona. The GOP’s Senate campaign arm endorsed Lake in February, but the final decision lies with primary voters in 70 days.
Importance of Debates in Democratic Process
Lake’s refusal to debate could be seen as dismissive towards voters. The Republican goal should be to nominate the candidate with the best chance of winning back the Senate seat. In 2022, Lake asserted voters’ right to compare their choices in a debate. With her current reluctance, voters may be left wondering what has changed.
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