PHOENIX — Democratic U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego is on the verge of clinching a victory in Arizona’s hotly contested Senate race, maintaining a slim lead over Republican Kari Lake as ballots continue to be counted. With around 92% of votes reported as of Friday evening, Gallego holds a narrow 1.8 percentage point advantage, leading Lake 50.1% to 48.3%, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.
Maricopa County, the state’s largest county, has played a critical role in shifting the momentum toward Gallego as votes from urban and suburban areas continue to be counted. Green Party candidate Eduardo Quintana is currently polling at 1.6%, a small percentage that could nonetheless impact the final margins.
The winner will replace Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who chose not to run for re-election. Gallego’s lead signals a potential fourth consecutive Democratic Senate win in Arizona, marking a significant victory for Democrats in a traditionally conservative state.
Gallego’s campaign has emphasized his military background and extensive work on behalf of Arizona’s diverse communities, focusing on issues like affordable healthcare, veterans’ benefits, and immigration reform. A former Marine who has represented Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District for five terms, Gallego entered the Senate race in early 2023 and has been endorsed by a broad coalition of Democratic and independent voters.
Kari Lake, a prominent figure in GOP circles and a former Phoenix news anchor, entered the race after her narrow loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs in Arizona’s 2022 gubernatorial election. Known for her outspoken support of former President Donald Trump, Lake has energized Republican voters but faced challenges in winning over moderate and independent Arizonans.
As the final ballots are counted, both campaigns remain optimistic but cautious. Lake’s team has indicated they are closely watching remaining votes from conservative-leaning areas, while Gallego’s team expressed confidence that the current lead will hold.
Election officials expect nearly all remaining ballots to be counted by the end of the weekend, with a final certification to follow.
