Jonathan J. Cooper
PHOENIX (AP) — Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb has filed federal papers to run for Senate in Arizona. Kirsten Cinema.
Lam, who filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday, is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and has made a name for himself in Arizona and beyond as an advocate of crackdowns. Illegal immigration and drug smugglingAlthough Pinal County is not on the U.S.-Mexico border, it does have numerous drug and human smuggling routes through remote desert areas.
The Arizona campaign is the number one target for Republicans seeking control of the Senate. Democrats dominate 51-49including Cinema and two other independents who generally vote Democratic. 2024 Senate Map support the republican partyDemocrats won seats in three states Trump won.
cinema left the Democratic Party In December, after her relationship with many members of the party fell apart, she raised money for a potential re-election campaign but has not disclosed whether she will seek a second term.USA representative Ruben Gallego teeth the only Democrat in the raceHe said last week it raised $3.7 million in the first quarter.
Fast-growing Pinal County is sandwiched between the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. That small farming and mining town has been dwarfed in recent decades by master-planned suburbs and retirement communities where newcomers devour affordable homes.
Lamb is a regular in border-themed TV ads, showing him walking through the desert with a rifle in hand alongside Republican candidates. At the height of his COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, the sheriff refused to enforce The Republican then-Governor. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order.He also created a streaming service It’s called the “American Sheriff Network” to highlight the work of law enforcement agencies.
Lamb could be embroiled in an overcrowded Republican primary and will likely face a formidable battle for the Republican nomination.
Kali Lakea former TV news anchor who previously became a star among many Republicans lose the 2022 gubernatorial election, is considering running for the Senate and would be the direct frontrunner. For others considering running, break masters, Jim Ramon and Karin Taylor Robsonlost the 2022 race for Senate or Governor.
All of Lamb’s potential Republican rivals, to varying degrees, have something the Sheriff lacks. While Lake can rake it from her legions of fans, other potential candidates have personal fortunes and benefactors they can draw from. , would be an early test of his viability.
Arizona Republicans Trump’s baseless allegations or 2020 presidential election has been stolen from him and the list of candidates he nominated for statewide offices last year. election conspiracy at the center of their campaign. Their all-out loss in the general election has raised fears within some Republicans that it could impede their path to winning a majority in the Senate.
Mr. Lake has continued to vigorously pursue allegations of meddling in his own election loss last year, which were dismissed by the court.
Mr. Lam distanced himself from election intrigue this month, saying he had seen no evidence of “grave, large-scale fraud” that could be brought before a jury. I had a problem. accused of incompetence not fraud.
“Where I thought I had smoke, I looked for fire,” Lamb said in an interview with a Phoenix Fox affiliate. To this day, I have never been provided with any evidence of material wrongdoing.”
Lam suffered the tragic loss of his 22-year-old son, his son’s fiancée, and 1-year-old daughter late last year. died in a crash when their car was hit by a driver suspected of being drunk.
