Kari Lake looks to court Arizona Democrats after her Challenger targets GOP voters

Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake announced on Tuesday an event where current and former Democrats will support her campaign, mirroring one held by her contender, Rep. Ruben Gallego.

The event, called "Democrats/former Democrats for Kari Lake & America First," will take place on Thursday, with the Republican calling on members of the press to cover it as much as she believes they will cover Gallego's.

"We ask that you give us equal coverage of our event coming Thursday," she said on X. "Clear your schedule and we'll let you know the time/place to meet us. I promise this will be eye-opening."

Gallego announced on Sunday the launch of "Republicans and Independent for Ruben," a coalition of 40 Republican and Independent leaders backing the Democrat for the Senate, according to The Hill.

"I am running for the U.S. Senate to represent all Arizonans, regardless of where they live or what political party they align themselves with," Gallego wrote in a statement Sunday. "We may not agree on everything, but we can find common ground on one essential goal: building a better Arizona."

Among those Republicans endorsing Gallego is Mesa Mayor John Giles, who has been a vocal supporter of Democrats running against Trump and his allies, including President Joe Biden and Ariz. Senator Mark Kelly. Lake did not reveal the Democrats who will be endorsing her.

Gallego will be emphasizing his military background, having served as a Marine in Iraq, as well as his financially humble upbringing, looking to expand his stature beyond the safely Democratic district in Phoenix that he has represented since 2015. Republicans backing him are also starting to highlight these characteristics.

Democrats have increased their appeal in Arizona after decades of GOP dominance. Although Republicans continue to have more registered voters in the state, President Joe Biden, Sen. Mark Kelly, Gov. Katie Hobbs and others have gathered narrow victories by holding their party together, dominating among independents and getting support from an outsized share of Republicans advocating against the MAGA section of the party, according to the Associated Press.

The two candidates are running to replace Kyrsten Sinema, a former democrat who became an independent. The race is viewed as one of the most crucial Senate contests that could determine who controls the chamber in 2025. It is also viewed as a must-win for Democrats, who are defending several seats in Republican-leaning states with only a 51-seat majority.

An Emerson College poll found Gallego is leading Lake by four points (46% to 42%). The poll surveyed 800 Arizonans on July 22-23 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

Similarly, a Public Policy Polling survey on July 19-20 found Gallego leading by seven points (49% to 42%). The poll was conducted among 736 registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

Other studies show similar results. For instance, The Hill averaged 37 polls between Gallego and Lake, finding the Democrat leading the race with 47.1% of support, compared to Lake's 43%. Nevertheless, analysts still expect a tight race, with both candidates trading leads within the margins of error.