TL/DR –
Kari Lake, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, raised $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2022, ending with $2.5 million in cash. Her Democratic rival, Ruben Gallego, raised $7.5 million in the same period and has $9.6 million in cash. Both candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
U.S. Senate Race Fundraising: Kari Lake vs. Ruben Gallego
Republican candidate Kari Lake has raised $4.1 million in the early months of the year for her U.S. Senate campaign. Despite this promising start, she remains behind her Democratic rival, Ruben Gallego, in Arizona. Lake’s campaign has reported significant small-dollar support, often considered an indicator of future voter support, particularly from Arizonans.
Five-term member of Congress, Gallego, also boasts significant small-dollar support. He has managed to raise larger overall sums, which his campaign attributes to his widespread appeal to voters. In the past quarter, Gallego reported raising $7.5 million and having $9.6 million in cash.
Both Lake and Gallego are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is also in the race for the Republican nomination. The candidates have yet to formally file their quarterly reports detailing their campaign contributors.
Lake’s campaign views her fundraising efforts as a sign of growing momentum. The campaign stated, “Kari Lake doubled her fundraising haul from last quarter. She is seeing strong support from grassroots donors and Arizona donors. Gallego is Far-Left, and out of step with Arizonans. Just like former President Donald Trump, Kari is performing strong in Arizona and will win in November.”
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The financial battle in Arizona will likely remain an intensely watched area. Gallego has already begun advertising on broadcast television and other platforms across the state, indicating his confidence in sustaining the high cost of advertising.
Following Sinema’s retirement announcement, Gallego began consolidating key Democratic support, including from U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. Lake, on the other hand, has secured the formal support of Trump, about half the Republicans in the Senate, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Both Lake and Gallego announced a significant increase in fundraising following Sinema’s departure. Lake’s campaign claimed a Washington, D.C., fundraiser featuring 19 Republican senators brought in $330,000 that day.
Gallego’s campaign claimed it raised $1 million in the first 24 hours after Sinema’s departure from the race. Lake held a fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, which her campaign claimed brought in $1 million. This will not be reflected in the quarterly report that covers January through March.
Lake’s campaign reported donations from all 50 states with small-donor contributions averaging $23, leaving those supporters with room to contribute more if they desire. Meanwhile, Lamb’s fundraising efforts have slowed since his first quarterly report last summer.
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