Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has won the Republican nomination in the Arizona primary election.
“Though the results took longer than they should have, Arizonans who have been forgotten by the establishment just delivered a political earthquake,” Lake said in a statement late Thursday celebrating her win.
“This is more than an election—it is a beautiful movement by so many people across our beautiful state to finally put Arizona First,” Lake said. “Starting tonight, we fight to defeat the radical, corrupt, incompetent Democrats and put our government back into the hands o the great people of Arizona!”
The Associated Press called the race on Thursday night at 10:09 p.m. Eastern Time. With 88 percent of the total vote counted, Lake had 46.8 percent, and the self-funded Karrin Taylor Robson had 44 percent.
Lake, a former local news anchor, defeated Robson in a race that was seen as a litmus test of Trump’s influence over the GOP voter base compared to that of establishment GOP figures. On Thursday night, Lake held the lead over Robson in all Arizona counties.
Lake’s win became the latest in Trump’s sweeping endorsement record in Arizona, where his picks in the races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, secretary of state, attorney general, and the state Legislature all won GOP nomination in the primaries.
Trump endorsed Lake multiple times leading up to the election, calling her a “fantastic person” who “will do a far better job than RINO Governor Doug Ducey.” Trump endorsed Lake when holding a “Save America” rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, on July 22.
“With Kari, you’ll have Election Integrity, Strong Borders, Safe Streets, and all of the other things you’ve wanted for so long. Vote for Kari Lake. She has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump said in a statement in July.
Trump’s support proved to outweigh those of establishment GOP figures behind Robson, including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, and Trump’s former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
By Gary Bai
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