Kari Lake, the former television news anchor turned political firebrand, has clinched the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s (NRSC) endorsement for her Senate campaign in Arizona. The endorsement marks a crucial milestone in Lake’s political journey, signaling a strong embrace by the Republican establishment and positioning her as the GOP’s frontrunner in a critical battleground state.
Lake’s endorsement by the NRSC is the culmination of her concerted efforts to court the Republican establishment in Washington, D.C. Once perceived as the quintessential outsider, Lake has strategically navigated the political landscape since announcing her Senate bid last fall, showing her willingness to align more closely with party leaders and strike a different tune from her 2022 gubernatorial campaign.
The endorsement is particularly special as it comes from an organization that typically exercises caution in primary races, punctuating Lake’s appeal and hope to unify the Republican base in Arizona.
In a statement first shared with Politico, Lake said, “I am honored to have the endorsement of Chairman Daines and the NRSC.’ She added, ‘We are uniting Republicans in Arizona and have a clear path to victory, The Senate Majority runs through Arizona.”
According to Politico, the NRSC plans to host a fundraiser for Lake in Washington on March 6, with prominent figures such as Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Senate GOP Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-WY) showing their support. Barrasso, who has previously endorsed Lake, is also slated to campaign for her in Arizona, further solidifying her standing within the party.
“I did come away impressed. I thought she was not at all like the caricature that’s sometimes painted of her in the media. She was very engaging, she was very warm,” remarked a GOP donor who encountered Lake during the retreat and was given anonymity to talk about a confidential conversation.
The donor, currently inclined to back Lake, expressed that Lake’s attention was dedicated to policy rather than political strategy. “I don’t know if I should have been surprised by that part, but I was.”
Lake’s efforts to mend fences and build bridges with the Republican establishment have evidently paid off, with her campaign gaining momentum and attracting attention from key GOP donors and strategists. Her participation in the NRSC’s winter meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, provided her with an opportunity to engage directly with senators and influential donors, many of whom expressed their admiration for her campaign’s direction and focus.
Despite locking horns with the establishment in past runs, Lake has made significant strides in moderating her image and reaching out to those she previously criticized. Her ability to secure the NRSC endorsement reflects a united Republican front in Arizona, a state that has leaned increasingly Democratic in recent elections but remains fiercely competitive.
“Kari Lake is the poster child for Senate Republicans’ candidate quality problem and abysmal recruiting strategy,” said Tommy Garcia, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, in a statement. “An election loser despised by Arizona Republicans, Lake brings massive baggage and disqualifying flaws to the campaign. We’re thrilled with the N.R.S.C.’s choice.”
Last month, the Arizona Republican Party’s chairman stepped down following the public emergence of a recording where he was heard urging Lake to take money or a position in return for withdrawing her candidacy. Upon his resignation, he cited concerns over “her limited appeal with moderates and independents, and her being a drag on the entire ticket.”
As the Arizona Senate race heats up, Lake’s NRSC endorsement sets the stage for a highly contested battle, with the potential involvement of incumbent independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) adding an unpredictable element to the race. Lake’s campaign, now bolstered by significant establishment support, faces the challenge of striving to reclaim a crucial Senate seat for the GOP.
