The race for governor of Arizona is putting the appeal of Donald Trump’s movement to the test in a crucial battleground state.
It’s too early to call the contest between Republican Kari Lake, a former television news anchor, and Democrat Katie Hobbs, the secretary of state. Hobbs led Lake by less than a percentage point early Wednesday.
Lake’s television-ready demeanor, confrontations with journalists and combative message for Democrats made the first-time candidate a rising star on the right.
Lake faces Democrat Katie Hobbs, the secretary of state who rose to prominence defending the integrity of the 2020 election. President Joe Biden’s margin of victory was lower in Arizona than any other state.