The people who rejected Kari Lake for governor in 2022 could now risk her political career this winter. Known as “Trump in heels,” Lake could lose her 2024 Senate race if she didn't immediately win over those she had snubbed or mocked.
I've never considered myself polarizing. Me believing that isn't enough. I need to prove it,” Lake wrote on social media in December, acknowledging the need to stop making incendiary comments and broaden her appeal.
“What I hear is, everybody has just resigned themselves that we’re going to be stuck with a Ruben Gallego—that’s what I hear from all the major players, the big-money people,” Arizona GOP fundraiser Shiree Verdone said of Lake's Democratic Senate opponent. “Nobody has said, ‘Kari Lake is going to win.’”
Lake tweeted this month about President Joe Biden: “81 million votes, my a--.” She calls her 2022 election loss “a sham,” supports right-wing provocateurs like Laura Loomer, and hosts fundraising parties with questionable politicians like Roger Stone at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club.
Since running for Senate, Lake has met with Republicans she rejected during her governorship, including Kathy Petsas, a former local party chair in her legislative district. In 2022, Lake's campaign tweeted, “Kathy, You're exactly the type of demographic we feel no need to appeal to.”
Trump faces danger as Biden unites party and hoards funds. In Raleigh, N.C., on March 26, 2024, President Joe Biden was analyzed by Jonathan Allen.Stephanie Scarbrough/AP If Biden wins re-election in November, Trump may regret missing this opportunity.
National and battleground state polls are showing hope for Biden for the first time. The momentum or “Big Mo” that politicians seek like Ponce de Leon sought the spring of youth is hard to describe from a few survey spikes. Biden's fundraiser Thursday at Radio City Music Hall with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton shows party unity and energy for the sitting president. Perhaps most crucially, it is anticipated to raise $25 million for his re-election campaign, a staggering amount for one day.
Trump has spent much of his political money defending himself in court, blaming a Biden-sponsored prosecution. Trump wants to portray Biden as a doddering old guy and the author of four criminal convictions, but he risks failing to unite his party and raise a lot of money like Biden.
Trump may spend less than Biden to win, but he lacks the funds for a national campaign. He risks slipping behind a $1 billion Biden campaign if he doesn't raise real money. Trump reportedly considered self-funding his campaign. He must decide whether to risk the presidency. If he delays that call, it may be too late.
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