Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has endorsed Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego in what is expected to be a closely watched Senate race this year. Gallego, a Phoenix-area congressman and likely Democrat nominee, received praise from Clinton for being a 'fighter' who would defend abortion rights.
Gallego expressed his pride in receiving Clinton's endorsement, highlighting her advocacy for social justice and women's rights. He emphasized the need to stand together against extremism threatening Arizona and work towards protecting abortion rights and democracy.
On the other side, Gallego's likely opponent, Kari Lake, a former local news anchor, criticized the endorsement, accusing Clinton and Gallego of defrauding Americans. Lake positioned herself as a candidate focused on putting families first.
Gallego also secured an endorsement from the progressive veterans group Common Defense, commending his support for President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act and abortion rights.
The Senate race in Arizona holds significance as Democrats currently maintain a narrow 51-49 majority, with key independent senators. Recent polls indicate a tight race between Gallego and Lake, with former President Trump holding a slight advantage over President Biden in the state.
Republicans view Arizona's Senate race as an opportunity to flip in their favor, along with several other states. Winning just two of these races could potentially give Republicans a Senate majority, pending the outcome of the competitive races.
