(T.Center Square) — Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb said his insight into law enforcement in the bordering states could lead to a crowded race for Republican tickets in the upcoming U.S. Senate primary in Arizona. I hope you will stand out in
Lamb has continued his campaign as the first Republican Senator in Arizona to declare his candidacy for the 2024 election. He spoke with Center Square on Friday to discuss borders and race conditions.
Although Pinal County is not a border county geographically, it is close to the border and addresses many pursuits and concerns. Lam said as a senator he would “call on it” to the Biden administration regarding the ongoing border crisis.
“I have consistently told this administration that human trafficking is happening and that slavery is happening every day. We weren’t able to secure this border and do their job,” Lamb said of independent Democratic Senators Kirsten Cinema and Mark Kelly, who currently hold the seat he’s running for. Referring to the Senator, he said,
“Look, I brought up problems even during the Trump administration, it wasn’t happening.At the time, I was posting about border issues.But they were listening to us. We’ve been sitting at a table for the past two years,” he continued.
On the topic of fentanyl trafficking and deaths, Republicans said “the law must be enforced” at the southern border to truly end the problem.
In his campaign announcement, Lam referenced his late son, who died in a car accident in December, dealing with drug addiction and spending time in prison for fentanyl.
He said he supports programs to help addicts, except that the root of the problem is border security.
“But until you secure the border, it’s like mopping the bathroom floor without turning off the tub,” he said. The water keeps flowing and eventually it overwhelms you.”
Politically, Lam said despite differences of opinion, he has good working relationships with both parties at the state level, so independents will vote for him in the general election.
“I want to be on a steady path of having authenticity, common sense, and the ability to sit down and work with everyone,” he said.
Center Square also asked Lamb about the potentially crowded Republican candidates, and Kari Lake, Karin Taylor-Robson, Jim Lamon, and Blake Masters are also considering jumping into the primary. The list met earlier this month to discuss the primary. according to to the Washington Post. Lamb defended Lake and Masters, who were candidates for governor and senator, respectively, in the 2022 general election.
“I hope that my campaign will win your vote, so that you will be happy to vote for me and vote for the lesser of the two evils.” Not only do you feel like you are.
“I have a conservative track record. I have proven to be a conservative fighter. I’m the only one with a track record of doing it, and people in Arizona will see it and say, “This guy is a proven conservative fighter. He’s stood the test, weathered the storm. Vote for him.” I plan to,” Ram added.
