Trump ally Kari Lake challenger Gallego launches initiative appealing to GOP ahead of elections

Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego is heading into one of the most hotly contested Senate races that could determine who controls the Upper House starting January. As he prepares to face firebrand GOP figure Kari Lake, the Arizona Democrat is seeking to shore up Republican and independent support with a new initiative.

Gallego's campaign announced 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.

"I cannot in good conscience stand on the sidelines while extremists like Kari Lake, who have hijacked our party for the same of personal gain, undermine the very fabric of what makes America exceptional," Giles said in a statement.

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.

"Like my former boss, Ruben has spent decades serving his country and state," said Paul Hickman, a former state director for Sen. John McCain who described himself as a lifelong Republican, in a statement released by Gallego's campaign. "And in the Senate, I trust that Ruben will work with those of different backgrounds to make compromises, not spectacles, and continue to always put Arizona first."

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 announcement comes days after both Gallego and his opponent, former television anchor and firm Trump supporter Kari Lake, clinched their respective nominations.

Lake says Gallego is a liberal Democrat who is out of step with Arizona's moderate voters. She also says the congressman votes in lockstep with Biden and Harris, supports legislation that worsened inflation and wants to eliminate the Senate filibuster to enact a liberal agenda.

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.