As the likely GOP nominee for governor in Arizona, Kari Lake has been under fire for her frequent out-of-state travel during the 2022 election cycle. She has even drawn the attention of former President Donald Trump, who expressed frustration over her trips to his resort in Florida.
Trump, who views Lake as a key player in the high-stakes Senate race against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in Arizona this fall, has urged her to focus more on campaigning in the state. While this particular Senate race may not be the most crucial this cycle, it holds significant weight for Republicans looking to regain control of the chamber.
Despite criticism from her opponents, spokespeople for both Trump and Lake have defended her actions. A Trump spokesman praised Lake as a “Smart and Fearless Leader” expected to win in Arizona. Meanwhile, a senior advisor to Lake insisted that she was running a strong campaign despite her travel schedule.
The Arizona Democratic Party has seized on Lake’s frequent travels by sending out newsletters titled “Where In The World Is Kari Lake?” highlighting her whereabouts. During a recent appearance in Idaho, Lake appeared to backtrack on her stance against Arizona’s abortion law, indicating that it was not being enforced as she had hoped.
Lake’s repeated out-of-state trips have raised concerns among critics about her commitment to the race in Arizona. However, despite these criticisms, she remains confident that she will be able to deliver results for voters and secure victory in November’s election.
