Representative Ruben Gallego, the expected Democratic nominee for Senate in Arizona, has raised an impressive $7.5 million in the first three months of the year, his campaign announced on Tuesday. This significant sum sets the stage for what is expected to be a competitive general election race in the battleground state.
Gallego, a former Marine and progressive congressman, has been building a strong fund-raising momentum leading up to the November election. His candidacy will test the willingness of Arizonans to elect a senator who leans left of center, in a state that has seen a shift towards electing Democrats in recent years.
In the upcoming election, Gallego is likely to face off against Kari Lake, a former television anchor and close ally of former President Donald J. Trump. While Lake faces a primary challenger in Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County, she currently leads him by a wide margin in polls.
So far, Gallego has outpaced Lake in fundraising, with Lake yet to release her most recent quarterly numbers. Gallego’s campaign raised $3.3 million in the last quarter of 2023, while Lake’s campaign netted $2.1 million during the same period.
Gallego’s funding advantage could give him the ability to saturate the airwaves with advertising in Arizona’s relatively expensive television market. His campaign has already spent about $1 million on his first advertisement of the cycle, which began airing in March.
With over $9.6 million cash on hand and support from more than 100,000 donors in the last quarter, Gallego’s campaign is well-positioned for the road ahead. Outside groups, such as the Senate Majority PAC, have also shown their support by reserving $23 million in television ads in Arizona.
On the other side, Lake has the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and has raised significant funds with top Senate Republicans. She recently raised $330,000 at a fundraiser in Washington and is set to raise more at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
As the race heats up, both candidates are gearing up for a tough battle ahead, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the future of Arizona’s representation in the Senate.
