Congressman Mast backs Kari Lake for Arizona Senate Contest

Kari Lake got another endorsement from a Republican for her Senate race bid in Arizona, marking the second consecutive day she has received such support.

Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., praised Lake as a “voice of sanity” in Arizona, as she takes on Democrat Ruben Gallego in an effort to win the seat for the Republicans in 2024. It is still unknown if the race will become a three-way contest; Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who switched to being an independent after winning as a Democrat in 2018, has not yet announced if she will seek reelection.

“Kari Lake fights relentlessly and does so with the intention of winning,” Mast said in a statement, the Washington Examiner reported. “America needs her in Washington, D.C., to be a voice of sanity on the issues Arizonans care about the most — boosting jobs, growing our economy, securing the southern border, helping our veterans homeless off the street, and strengthening our national defense.”

Mast’s endorsement follows that of Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., on Thursday.

“Congressman Mast has sacrificed so much for our country, but he never stops working to give back to it,” Lake said. “I am honored to have his endorsement for the United States Senate in Arizona. I look forward to working with him to put America back on track.”

Recent Public Policy Polling results from two weeks ago show Lake leading Gallego by one point, 46% to 45%. However, in a three-way race, Gallego leads Lake 36% to 35%, with Sinema securing 17% – according to PPP.

With the retirement of Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in West Virginia, which is likely to go Republican in 2024, a win by Lake in Arizona would provide Republicans with a two-seat swing, pending the results of other races. Democrats are defending 23 seats compared to just 11 for Republicans. Democrats currently hold a 51-49 majority.

However, the uncertainty lies with Sinema, who seemed to be preparing for another run in September but as recently as November, was still keeping her decision private.

“I’m not here today to talk about myself or to talk about politics,” she said as she toured a Phoenix VA.