TL/DR –
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake campaigned under a Confederate battle flag, with no public signs of disapproval from her supporters or the Arizona Republican Party. Her Democrat rival, Rep. Ruben Gallego, condemned her action, calling it divisive and dangerous. Political experts suggest that while this may not affect her core supporters, it might alienate moderate independent voters and negatively impact her appeal to certain Latino communities.
U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake Campaigns under Confederate Flag: No Regrets Expressed
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake and her supporters show no signs of regret after she campaigned under a Confederate battle flag. Despite the controversial move, the Arizona Republican Party and the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee have remained silent.
The sole Democrat in the race, Rep. Ruben Gallego, condemned Lake’s actions, labeling her as “divisive, dangerous, and unfit to serve in the U.S. Senate.” He further criticized her alignment with the failed Confederacy.
Impact on Lake’s Support Base
Although the incident might not affect her core GOP supporters, political experts believe it could hinder her efforts to attract less partisan voters. John J. Pitney Jr., a politics professor at Claremont McKenna College, expressed that flying the Confederate battle flag is seen as endorsing treason. This move is unlikely to win over moderate independent voters.
Assistant government professor at the University of Arizona, Lisa Sanchez, suggests that Lake’s actions may negatively affect her support among select Latinos. Democrats are likely to link Lake and other Republicans to the oppression and anti-Latino sentiment the Confederate flag represents.
Strategic Choice or Polarizing Move?
Chandler James, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Oregon, suggests Lake’s use of the Confederate flag could be a strategic choice to show she’s willing to push her politics. Steven White, an associate political science professor at Syracuse University, believes this move reflects Lake’s polarizing nature and could affect her appeal among swing voters.
Confederate Flag: A Historical Controversy
The Confederate flag has been a point of contention among politicians in the past. When U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney ran for president in 2008, he stated that the flag was divisive and shouldn’t be shown. John McCain, the GOP nominee that year, wavered on the issue due to political considerations.
Recently, Lake’s presence under the Confederate flag during a campaign event has drawn national attention and added to her record of controversies. In response, Lake’s campaign made no attempts to distance her from the Confederate cause.
‘Kari Lake went to a store’
The campaign defended Lake’s actions by stating, “Kari Lake went to a store. The campaign doesn’t own the store.” The store in question is named for former President Donald Trump and sells Trump-themed items.
Lake’s visit generated controversy for Steve Slaton, a Republican candidate for the Legislature and the owner of the store, due to discrepancies in his military record.
Fallout from the George Floyd Murder
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, there has been a national reevaluation of slavery and race, leading to the removal of many symbols of racism and the Confederacy. In Arizona, Civil War-themed monuments were removed, and street names linked to the Ku Klux Klan were changed.
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