EXCLUSIVE — Senate candidate Kari Lake has secured another endorsement from a Republican senator, giving her a boost as she prepares for one of the most competitive elections of the 2024 cycle.
Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) will endorse Lake on Tuesday, lauding the Republican candidate on her policies toward immigration and border security, according to a statement first obtained by the Washington Examiner. Budd’s backing is the latest in a string of endorsements by other Republican senators as they coalesce around her campaign in one the most high-profile Senate races this year.
“I endorse Kari Lake for Senate in Arizona, because Kari will fight to secure the border, lower prices for American families, and restore American Energy Independence,” Budd said in a statement. “We need Kari in the Senate to stop Chuck Schumer’s Far-Left agenda. She’ll fight for conservative policies that will make us a strong nation again.”
Nearly 30 Republican senators have publicly endorsed Lake’s campaign, giving her an advantage over challenger Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who has only garnered three endorsements from the upper chamber, according to his campaign website. However, Gallego could soon receive more after incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) announced she would not run for another term, solidifying the race as a two-way contest and opening the door for Democratic senators to back Gallego’s bid.
The latest endorsement comes after Lake made a visit to Capitol Hill earlier this month in a bid to shore up more support among fellow Republicans, with more endorsements likely expected in the coming weeks. Lake also met recently with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), although he has yet to endorse in the race.
The Senate race in Arizona could be one of Republicans’ best opportunities to seize control of the upper chamber next year. Recent polling showed Lake leading Gallego by 1 point in a head-to-head race, 46% to 45%, according to a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling. The race has become even more competitive with Sinema’s absence.
Lake’s allies have also pointed to former President Donald Trump’s polling in Arizona against President Joe Biden as a good sign for her campaign. Lake has closely aligned herself with the former president, and Trump has endorsed her candidacy.
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There are 34 Senate seats up for grabs in the 2024 election cycle. Of these, Democrats must defend 23, compared to just 11 for Republicans — and nearly all competitive seats are held by Democrats, putting them on the defensive as they try to maintain their slim majority.
Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, with the advantage of having Vice President Kamala Harris as a tiebreaker vote if needed. As a result, Republicans only need to flip one Senate seat to win the majority should they win back the White House in 2024. If they don’t regain the Oval Office, they need to secure two extra Senate seats.
