Celebrating Our Victory: Ruben Gallego’s Win
Since Tuesday, I’ve been eagerly refreshing my computer every 15 minutes to catch the latest updates on the U.S. Senate race between our champion, Congressman Ruben Gallego, and the controversial Kari Lake. Many of you remember how Lake repeatedly claimed voter fraud after her loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2022. She filed several lawsuits, all of which failed, while insisting she was still the Governor. Just this week, the Arizona Supreme Court dismissed another one of her petitions.
The End of an Era
It’s finally over! After two long years filled with challenges and appeals, the Arizona Supreme Court has put an end to Kari Lake’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2022 gubernatorial race. This decision marks a significant moment for our democracy.
What’s Next for Kari Lake?
Now that Lake has lost her final court battle, it seems she will soon turn her attention to this year’s election. Many people doubt she will concede gracefully or with dignity. Heading into the election, Ruben Gallego consistently held a 3% lead, and it looks like that’s how things will turn out. While Ruben calmly watches the returns and respects the voters’ choice, Lake is busy attacking Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer. Richer, a Republican, has a defamation lawsuit against her, and she has not defended herself, which suggests she may have lied about him manipulating the 2022 election.
False Claims and Accountability
Lake’s false accusations have caused serious harm, leading to death threats against Richer and his family. He has expressed his desire to hold her accountable, and now a judge will decide how much Lake owes him. Right-wing media outlets are already spinning tales of bias against her, but we know the truth. Some far-right supporters are even claiming fraud, unable to believe that Trump could win Arizona while Lake loses.
Setting the Record Straight
To those who doubt the integrity of our elections, let’s set the record straight. Arizona has made strides in protecting abortion rights and has elected Democrats like Ruben Gallego. After the election, I felt anxious when rural votes started coming in, and headlines suggested Lake was closing the gap. However, as more votes from Maricopa and Pima counties (Phoenix and Tucson) were counted, Gallego’s lead began to grow again—now at 2.2%. Ruben is leading 60-40 in Pima County and about 52-46 in Maricopa County. While some rural areas still have ballots to count, it doesn’t seem likely that Lake can overcome the substantial lead Ruben has built.
Current Standings
As I write this on Sunday afternoon, Gallego has a lead of 48,000 votes with over 400,000 ballots still to be counted. Most of these remaining ballots come from Democratic strongholds. For Lake to win, she would need to secure over 55% of the remaining votes in these areas. That simply isn’t going to happen!
Excitement Builds
I’m excitedly waiting to see if tonight brings us the sight of Kari Lake conceding gracefully. It would certainly be a first for her!
Updates on the Race
UPDATE: Just three hours later, Ruben Gallego’s lead has grown to 53,000 votes! Now, Lake would need 57% of the remaining votes to win. What a relief!
UPDATE 2: With over 92% of the votes counted, Ruben’s lead has increased to 69,000 votes, and Pima County has only reported 84% of its ballots. This race is over! My decision desk calls it! Congratulations, Senator Gallego!
FAQ’s
1. Who are the main candidates in the U.S. Senate race discussed?
The main candidates in the U.S. Senate race are Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake.
2. What was Kari Lake’s previous political position before running for the Senate?
Kari Lake was a gubernatorial candidate in Arizona, where she lost to Democrat Katie Hobbs in the 2022 election.
3. What allegations did Kari Lake make after her gubernatorial loss?
Kari Lake repeatedly claimed voter fraud and filed multiple lawsuits attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 gubernatorial election.
4. What was the outcome of Kari Lake’s legal challenges regarding the 2022 election?
The Arizona Supreme Court denied Kari Lake’s final petition aimed at overturning the results of the 2022 gubernatorial race, effectively ending her legal challenges.
5. How did Ruben Gallego perform in the Senate race against Kari Lake?
Ruben Gallego consistently held a lead over Kari Lake throughout the election, ultimately winning by a margin of approximately 69,000 votes.
6. What were the voting trends in Maricopa and Pima counties during the election?
Ruben Gallego held a commanding lead in Pima County with about 60% of the votes, while in Maricopa County, he led with approximately 52%. These Democratic-leaning areas contributed significantly to his overall victory.
7. What is the significance of the remaining ballots in the election?
As of the latest updates, there were still over 400,000 ballots left to count, primarily from Maricopa and Pima counties. For Kari Lake to win, she would have needed to secure over 55% of these remaining votes, which was deemed highly unlikely.
8. What was the reaction of rightwing commentators to the election results?
Some rightwing commentators and supporters of Kari Lake expressed disbelief that voters could support Trump and then vote for Ruben Gallego, suggesting that they believed there must be some form of fraud involved.
9. How did Ruben Gallego respond to the election results?
Ruben Gallego indicated that he was monitoring the election returns and would respect the decision of the voters, contrasting with Kari Lake’s aggressive stance.
10. What can we expect from Kari Lake following the election results?
Given her history of not conceding gracefully, it is anticipated that Kari Lake may challenge the election results or refuse to concede, similar to her behavior after the 2022 gubernatorial election.
11. What impact did the election results have on Arizona’s political landscape?
The election results further solidified Democratic control in key areas of Arizona, showcasing the state’s shifting political dynamics, particularly in urban centers like Phoenix and Tucson.
12. How did the media cover the election results?
The media closely followed the election results, providing updates on vote counts and analyzing the implications of the outcomes for both candidates and the broader political landscape in Arizona.
13. What were the final vote counts reported for Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake?
Ruben Gallego ultimately won the election with a lead of approximately 69,000 votes over Kari Lake, who faced significant challenges in securing enough support from the remaining ballots.
14. What does this election mean for future Republican candidates in Arizona?
The outcome may signal challenges for future Republican candidates in Arizona, particularly if they continue to align with controversial figures and narratives that do not resonate with a majority of voters in key areas.
15. What are the next steps for Ruben Gallego following his victory?
Following his victory, Ruben Gallego will likely focus on preparing for his new role as a U.S. Senator, including engaging with constituents and addressing key issues facing Arizona.
