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.
Lake, a former television news anchor, says she would not have certified the state's 2020 election results. Her television-ready demeanor, confrontations with journalists and combative message for Democrats made the first-time candidate a rising star on the right whose future in national politics is already being debated.
"I have every confidence that the counties administering this election conducted a free and fair election, and their results will be accurate," Hobbs told supporters gathered in Phoenix. "But they will take time, so prepare for a long evening and a few more days of counting." The election comes as Biden struggles from lagging approval and Trump strongly hints that he will run again in 2024.
Lake predicted she will make up the gap and overtake Hobbs, reminding her supporters that she was down in early returns from the GOP primary before overtaking her establishment-backed rival as more ballots were counted. Hobbs, a social worker before turning to politics, was weighed down by her decision not to debate Lake. She ran a cautious campaign, sticking largely to scripted and choreographed public appearances.
She was endorsed by Trump, who admired her ability - only slightly exaggerated - to respond to any question with a message about fixing elections. Lake has repeatedly refused to say that she would accept the results of the election if she loses. Kelly's 2020 special election victory gave Democrats both of Arizona's Senate seats for the first time in 70 years. It was propelled by the state's fast-changing demographics and the unpopularity of then-President Donald Trump.
With razor-thin margins between the parties, it often takes days to know the results of key races in Arizona, and it's not uncommon for the candidate leading on election night to end up losing when all votes are counted.Kelly thanked his family and supporters gathered in Tucson and said he was confident he would prevail once all ballots are counted.
Kelly's campaign has largely focused on his support for abortion rights, protecting Social Security, lowering drug prices and ensuring a stable water supply in the midst of a drought, which has curtailed Arizona's cut of Colorado River water. Nearly half of Arizona voters say the economy is the most important issue facing the country, according to AP VoteCast, an expansive survey of more than 3,200 voters in Arizona. And nearly all voters said inflation was a factor in their votes, with about half saying it was the single most important factor.
Masters, 36, worked for most of his adult life for billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel, who bankrolled Masters' primary run but was stingier during the general election. Masters endeared himself to many GOP primary voters with his penchant for provocation and contrarian thinking. But since then, he has struggled to redefine his image for the more moderate swing voters who will decide Tuesday's election.
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