In a heated debate on Wednesday night, Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake took aim at her Democratic opponent, Ruben Gallego, accusing him of backtracking on his previous statements and voting record on border security. Lake, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump’s border policies, seized the opportunity to highlight Gallego’s past opposition to the construction of Trump’s border wall and portrayed herself as a staunch advocate for securing Arizona’s southern border.
As Election Day draws near, this pivotal race has captured national attention, with Arizona playing a crucial role in determining the Senate majority and influencing the direction of U.S. immigration policies. The debate underscored the candidates’ starkly different views on border security and immigration, with Lake positioning herself as the protector of Arizona and Gallego as someone who has, in her view, failed to address the issue effectively.
Lake’s Attack on Gallego’s Record
Lake’s most potent moment during the debate came when she confronted Gallego about his past criticism of Trump’s border wall. She directly quoted his own words, saying, “He called it the ‘dumb, stupid border wall.’ He wrote an op-ed that said, ‘Why we should never build Trump’s wall ever.’ So we’re getting the extreme makeover version of Ruben tonight.” The Republican candidate accused Gallego of consistently voting against measures aimed at securing the border and of being part of a political class that has failed Arizonans.
“Ruben has voted against border security every step of the way,” Lake said, further accusing Gallego of flip-flopping on his immigration stance to appeal to voters in a state that has long been at the center of the national debate on illegal immigration. “Remember, I covered the state for 27 years. I was in your home. And all that time, we watched these career politicians say they were going to secure the border, and they never did—until President Trump came along and actually secured the border,” Lake continued, drawing on her experience as a former TV anchor in Arizona to establish credibility.
She argued that Trump’s border security initiatives, particularly the construction of the border wall, were effective in curbing illegal immigration. “That border wall keeps us safe,” Lake asserted. “We’ve seen it here in Arizona because we’ve seen those areas where the border wall is there, and people aren’t coming through. Where there are gaps in it, people are pouring through.”
Linking Gallego to the Biden-Harris Administration
In an effort to tie Gallego to the current administration, Lake went on to criticize him for supporting what she described as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s open border policies. Harris, in particular, has been assigned as the administration’s border czar, a role in which she has faced significant criticism from Republicans.
Lake alleged that these policies have led to a sharp increase in illegal immigration and crime. She cited figures claiming that 20 million people have entered the country illegally since the Biden administration took office, including over 400,000 convicted criminals. While these numbers are highly contested, Lake used them to drive home her point about the dangers of lax border enforcement. “The only piece of legislation that Mr. Gallego has put forth was not about border security. It was about removing the word ‘illegal alien’ from anything in federal government paperwork,” she said. “He’s more worried about semantics than our security.”
Gallego, a five-term Congressman representing Arizona, has consistently advocated for comprehensive immigration reform that includes pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. However, Lake criticized this approach, arguing that it undermines public safety and Arizona’s security, especially given the proximity of the state to the southern border.
Lake’s criticism extended to the notion that Gallego, along with other Democrats, has failed to recognize the urgency of the situation. She claimed that his focus on issues like language reform within federal immigration documents distracted from more pressing concerns, such as the flow of drugs, human trafficking, and potential terrorists across the border.
The Stakes for Arizona
With less than a month remaining until Election Day, Arizona’s Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the country. Polls have consistently shown Gallego leading Lake among voters, with Real Clear Politics averaging his lead at 6.8 percent since early September. Despite this, Lake’s focus on border security resonates with many voters in Arizona, where immigration is one of the top concerns.
Lake’s hardline stance on border security, combined with her association with Trump’s policies, has made her a favorite among the Republican base. She pointed to the Biden administration’s sale of border wall materials as an example of the government’s negligence on the issue. “We could have had that wall finished,” Lake argued. “But Ruben Gallego and Kamala Harris, they sold that $325 million of border material for pennies on the dollar. They gave it away.”
Arizona’s role as a swing state makes the outcome of this race crucial not only for the Senate but also for the presidential election. Lake, aware of the state’s importance, made it clear that if elected, she would prioritize border security from day one. “On day one, my first piece of legislation will be to fully fund and expedite the construction of the border wall,” she declared in her closing remarks.
Gallego’s Response and Policy Approach
Gallego, who has been careful in positioning himself as a moderate Democrat, has consistently pushed back on the notion that a border wall is a comprehensive solution to immigration challenges. During the debate, he argued that border security must be addressed with modern technology, a strong legal immigration system, and cooperation with neighboring countries, rather than relying solely on a physical barrier. He pointed out that many of the areas where illegal crossings occur are not conducive to wall construction, advocating instead for investments in surveillance systems, drones, and additional border patrol resources.
Despite Lake’s aggressive attacks, Gallego’s lead in the polls suggests that his message may be resonating with Arizona voters who are seeking a balanced approach to border security and immigration reform. His campaign has emphasized his deep roots in Arizona and his record of service, including his time in the Marine Corps, to counteract Lake’s portrayal of him as a career politician disconnected from the concerns of everyday Arizonans.
Looking Ahead to Election Day
With Election Day fast approaching, both candidates have ramped up their campaigns, focusing on key issues that will sway undecided voters. For Lake, border security remains the central pillar of her platform, and she has doubled down on her commitment to complete Trump’s wall and enact stricter immigration laws. Gallego, on the other hand, continues to advocate for a more nuanced approach that includes immigration reform alongside enhanced border security measures.
Arizona voters will soon decide which vision for the future of border security they believe will best serve the state and the country. For now, the debate between Lake and Gallego underscores the high stakes of this election, with immigration policy likely to be a decisive factor in the outcome. Arizona’s Senate race has become a referendum on the direction of U.S. border policy, with voters left to choose between two very different paths forward.