Summary
Current Position: Journalist
Affiliation: Republican
Candidate: 2023 Governor
Kari Ann Lake (born August 23, 1969) is an American politician and former television news journalist.
After working at Phoenix television station KSAZ-TV for 22 years, she stepped down from her anchor role in March 2021.
OnAir Post: Kari Lake
About
Source: Campaign page
Kari Lake, the former anchor for Fox 10 News in Phoenix, became a symbol of truth in journalism when she walked away from the mainstream media despite being number one in the ratings for more than two decades.
Now she’s running for Governor of Arizona on a platform of common sense conservatism dedicated to individual liberties, low taxes, limited regulation, and protecting Arizona’s great Western heritage.
Kari Lake continues to be a voice for the silent majority suffering at the hands of cancel culture, critical race theory, and the devastating effects progressive policies are piling up on America’s formerly great cities.
Web
Campaign Site, Twitter, Wikipedia, Instagram
Politics
Source: none
Finances
LAKE, KARI has run in 1 race for public office, winning 1 of them. The candidate has raised a total of $2,432,387.
Source: Follow the Money
Voting Record
See: Vote Smart
Issues
Source: Campaign page
Democracy & Governance
Election Integrity
In 2016, over 60% of Democrats believed the election was stolen. In 2020, over 60% of Republicans believe the election was stolen. We cannot continue to have disputed elections and expect this country to survive. Ensuring election integrity in the future is incredibly simple if we simply have the political will to do it.
Arizona’s audit revealed numerous deficiencies and issues with our elections, on a scope and scale sufficient to have changed the outcome of 2020. We must address these problems immediately, or nothing else we do will matter.
First, require voter ID on all ballots. One person, one vote. There is nothing fairer than that, and – despite what the mainstream media says – voter ID requirements are overwhelmingly popular with every single Party and demographic. 75% of Americans support requiring voter ID, as do 69% of Black Americans, and 82% of other minorities. 60% of Democrats, 77% of Independents, and 89% of Republicans support voter ID. The only people who don’t want to see voter ID implemented are progressive activists and the media.
Second, require pre-printed paper ballots – no printing ballots on-site at polling stations which increases the likelihood of individuals casting multiple ballots.
Third, take all equipment that uses software out of the counting process. As we have seen in recent weeks with the pipeline hack, and the meat-plant hack: if it has software, it can be hacked. Elections are simply too important to take that risk. Using analog optical scanners will be more personnel and time-consuming than using computers – so we pay for the personnel and resources we need.
Fourth, elections should be followed with regular, highly accurate audits of the results to ensure transparency and bolster public trust.
Don’t California our Arizona
I want to see Arizona remain a great symbol of the American West. We don’t want to be some homogenized, unrecognizable state, a second California. California is the “Progressive Dream” realized in full after decades of one-Party Democrat control. And what does that dream look like? It’s a deliberate, unmoving traffic jam next to a homeless encampment where people are using the sidewalk as a toilet and shooting up in front of a cop who isn’t allowed to do anything about it.
The list of progressive policies that have failed is comprehensive. They’ve used “Vision Zero” to deliberately tie traffic in knots in an attempt to make driving so inconvenient people are forced onto buses. They’ve used “Justice Reform” to turn criminals loose on the population to commit crime without consequence. Their version of “Housing Equity” has made it so costly and impossible to build new housing that they’ve created an artificial housing crisis and tens of thousands of newly homeless people. The list goes on. Their homelessness policies are a complete failure and actively enable long-term street homelessness, vagrancy, and drug use. Their taxes, regulations, and wasteful spending are driving businesses away at a record pace and preventing new ones from getting off the ground. People are fleeing in droves.
We can’t allow liberal policies to California our Arizona – if we do there will be nowhere left to run.
Environment & Energy
Water
Water is perhaps the single most critical issue facing Arizona today. Too many people now rely on a single watershed that is unable to support them, and our population is continuing to grow. Ranchers and farmers are already suffering from the effects – seeing significant cuts in their water allocations from the Colorado River and watching their groundwater dry up.
The next Governor of Arizona must be a leader on this issue, not only for Arizona, but for the future of the entire Southwest and Northern Mexico. We must seek and immediately implement both long and short-term solutions to address a rapidly growing crisis that threatens the future viability of our agricultural heritage, our manufacturing growth, and our population alike.
After meeting with experts across Arizona on this issue, I am committed to being the Governor who addresses Arizona’s future water needs by stepping up to lead a national and regional effort to ensure Arizona and the entire Southwest have all the water we need to continue to grow into the future.
Short term, that means increasing our storage capacity on the Salt & Verde River system by improving and expanding our dams and reservoirs, capturing storm runoffs, lining and covering our canals, and properly managing the forests and wildlife areas surrounding these critical rivers to prevent forest fires which cause significant damage to the river ecosystem. We also have to support responsible transfer of water rights, especially working with the various tribal nations throughout Arizona. Lastly, we need to expand effluent capture and purification.
We do a lot of this stuff well already, and it’s one area where both Phoenix and Tucson have been real leaders. But, long term, we need more water. Period.
Our population, along with that of the entire Southwest and Northern Mexico continues to grow. Unless we develop a new, sustainable source of water we will soon be facing a very bleak future. Instead, the future is desalination. Israel – facing very similar circumstances as Arizona in regards to a growing population and dwindling water supply – has proven, and improved, this technology to the point that the majority of water now used in Israel comes from desalination, and an Israeli company just built the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere outside of San Diego
This is proven technology. It works. What will the cost be? Right now, we don’t know. In either case, the cost and scale will require Arizona to forge agreements with the federal government, other Western states, and Mexico. Whatever the price tag ends up being, it will be far less than the cost of a future without the water we need to survive.
We can’t do it alone, but we can do it. And the next Governor of Arizona must be the leader of this fight.
The upside is potentially enormous. An ample source of new water would carry with it the possibility of completely transforming the economies – and ecology – of this region. With plentiful water and extraordinary amounts of sunlight, Arizona would have about the best growing conditions of anywhere on the planet. Israel is rapidly turning the Negev Desert into one of the world’s great agricultural areas, we can do the same. But the benefits wouldn’t stop there. Reducing our dependence on existing groundwater and river resources will drastically improve the environmental conditions of those watersheds, and our region as a whole.
Protecting Local Business, Not Box Stores
When the pandemic hit, states across the country – including Arizona – put the hammer down on small businesses; forcing their closure, limiting their occupancy, and requiring costly modifications to their operations. At the same time, they bent over backwards to accommodate the needs of many big box stores and online retailers. The damage those policies did will be felt for decades.
I care far more about the local retired couple who poured their life savings into a restaurant and then had government take it away from them than I do the shareholders of Walmart or Amazon. I will never allow our state to do anything like this, ever again.
No shutdowns, no restrictions, no favorites.
In a public health crisis, or any crisis, it is the responsibility of the government to give our citizens the very best, most accurate information possible, and allow them to make their own informed decisions. I trust you, the people of Arizona, to do what’s best for you, your family, and your neighbors over bureaucrats who are mostly interested in protecting their careers.
Restoring Quality of Life for Arizona: Tackling Homelessness
Introduction:
Homelessness in Arizona is increasing at a staggering rate. Homeless encampments, drugged-out and deranged individuals, and the extensive damage they are doing to the quality of life in our communities has spread far beyond our biggest cities, even impacting rural and mountain communities like Pine, Payson, and Flagstaff. Government programs and homeless service providers are not making the problem better. Instead, they have essentially given up and are enabling chronic street homelessness, drug use, and mental illness. They ignore the impacts on citizens, families, and communities.
This has to stop. We can have compassion for the homeless, but it cannot be at the expense of everyone else. Nor can we continue to pretend that a large part of the problem isn’t coming from people who are choosing chronic street homelessness as a lifestyle – or that our current system appears dedicated to making that choice easier and more comfortable.
This is just plain wrong. People have a right to walk into a store without being accosted or harassed. Mothers have a right to take their kids to the park and let them play without fear that they’re going to get stuck with a dirty needle. Families have a right to be safe on their streets and in their homes. Citizens deserve protection and safety from the state and cities they pay taxes too.
Right now, they are not.
I don’t accept that this is the way things need to be. We do not need to accept rampant violence, blight, and property crimes. We don’t need to allow homeless encampments destroy our neighborhoods and open spaces. We don’t need to treat people who are making life miserable for everyone around them with kid gloves. It’s time for some tough love.
As Governor, I will give the people who are choosing this drug and alcohol-fueled street lifestyle a choice: get treatment, go to jail, or get going. There are plenty of blue states willing to indulge their destructive behavior. Under my leadership, Arizona won’t be one of them.
We will have compassion for people who need and want help. We will do everything we can to get them off the street and back into society. But we won’t keep doing it on the backs of our citizens.
We’re going to get them off of our streets, one way or another.
I am proposing the most extensive, aggressive and comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness and providing real treatment and support to people who are willing to accept it anywhere in the country. They will have beds, treatment, support, and hope. Those who refuse will find something else entirely: a state that simply isn’t willing to tolerate their abuses any more.
Op-Ed:
Kari Lake Commentary: Ending Homelessness In Arizona
Arizona must pursue key structural changes in our approach to homelessness.
Donate $10 or more today to Help Kari Win! #ArizonaFirst Agenda.
The Problem:
Numerous factors are contributing to the rise in homelessness, including a lack of affordable housing, inadequate mental health, drug, and alcohol treatment services, the expanding fentanyl crisis, cities and towns that take a lackadaisical approach to this issue and – unfortunately – a homeless services industry that continues to spend increasing sums of money (in some areas truly staggering amounts) not merely without appreciable positive results, but rather serving to enable and increase the number of individuals living on the street.
The results are devastating. Unheard in a debate that is often entirely centered around the plight of homeless individuals are the impacts on communities and families, as well as the damage caused to businesses and economic development. Many parts of America’s greatest cities now resemble third-world ghettos or favelas, with all of the attendant problems with crime, sex assaults, human trafficking, public drug use and intoxication, and institutionalized generational poverty. These impacts are destroying the quality of life for residents, and – far too frequently – leading to violence, including deadly violence.
We’ve shown we have compassion for our homeless population, it’s time we show some for everyday citizens and families. But that compassion cannot come at the expense of the lives of every day citizens and their families who are being harmed. In May, 2020, a homeless man, high on meth, marijuana, and alcohol shot and killed a man riding his bike close to where the homeless man was staying.1 In June, 2014, a homeless man attacked and killed a priest, badly injuring another one, the attacker had an extensive record of violence.2 In October, 2021, a homeless man living in the tent city that has sprung up in downtown Phoenix shot and killed another homeless individual living there.3 In August, 2021, a homeless man attacked and killed another homeless person in a cafeteria, stabbing him numerous times in a brutal assault.4 In November, 2021, a homeless man armed with a machete attacked and repeatedly slashed a good Samaritan trying to stop a robbery in a store.5 In March, 2018, a mentally deranged homeless man with an extensive criminal record entered the home of a couple living on Roosevelt Row with the intention of raping the wife, when confronted by her husband, the homeless man attacked and stabbed him to death while his wife hid under her bed, desperately pleading with 911 for help.6
These are only a few of the many examples of these types of crimes being committed by homeless individuals on our populace here in Arizona, not to mention the numerous attacks across the country which have made headlines in recent years. The common denominator in these crimes are homeless individuals with uncompensated Severe Mental Illness, Diagnosed Substance Abuse (DSA) issues, or a combination of the two. This represents the complete and utter failure of the current approaches being employed by the homeless services industry. Providers, despite being extremely well-intentioned, have become trapped by their own system and misplaced compassion. Rather than treating and addressing homelessness – an admittedly mountainous challenge – providers have turned to little more than simply enabling chronic street homelessness as a lifestyle. The result, predictably, is not a reduction in homelessness or success in moving significant numbers of individuals from the street back to normal life, but the opposite: by enabling chronic street homelessness as a lifestyle, providers and politicians are creating more of it. Simply put, the easier it is to live on the street while maintaining a lifestyle of substance abuse and mental instability, the more addicts and mentally-ill individuals will choose that path.
In 2017, according to the Point In Time Count7, Arizona had 5,605 homeless individuals, with 3,546 living in shelters and 2,059 living on the street.
In 2018 we had 6,298 total homeless, 3,680 in shelters and 2,618 on the street.
In 2019, we had 6,614 total homeless, 3,426 in shelters and 3,188 on the street.
In 2020, we had 7,419 total homeless, 3,652 in shelters and 3,767 on the street.
These numbers almost certainly represent a significant undercount of homeless individuals due to the difficulties of locating and identifying a transient and contact-averse population.
Further, there is no evidence that increased funding of the current system will reduce either the impacts on the community at large, or make any positive substantial change in the circumstances of these individuals as numerous states and cities across the country have dramatically increased funding in recent years and rather than reducing homelessness are only – expensively – creating more of it. California’s homeless population increased by 7% in 20198, even with massive new spending programs. While data for 2020 is not yet available, despite eviction moratoriums, rental & utility assistance and forgiveness, enormous hotels being turned into homeless shelters and more, estimates are that the homeless population once again grew dramatically. In 2021, Los Angeles – between state and local funding – will spend more than $23,000 per homeless individual.9
Washington State and the City of Seattle have likewise dramatically increased funding, with similarly dismal results. The story is the same in Portland, Oregon; New York City, New York; Washington, D.C.; and virtually every other major metropolitan area in the country. And recently, reports indicate that problems generated by this rampant increase in chronic street homelessness are moving well beyond traditional urban boundaries, with homeless encampments popping up in rural areas across the country, and here in Arizona.
Why is this relevant in Arizona? Because the approach of homeless service providers nationwide largely follows the exact same pathways due to federal rule-making, system capture, and some very poorly decided court rulings.
Getting Help & Getting Housing
The current provider-approved model to address homelessness is referred to as “Housing First.”10 This model separates housing from services, demanding that long-term housing be the first objective of providers, while placing no requirements on individuals to engage in mental health or substance abuse treatment, job training, or any other support services. Under this model, priority placement for housing is determined through a “Continuum of Care List” which each county is required to maintain. Priority is given to those who have been on the street the longest, and have either SMI, DSA, or both11.
Since no requirements around treatment or long-term support are included, individuals placed in housing via these programs routinely spend only a few months or a year in the provided housing, turn their living spaces into de-facto flophouses, and get evicted, all at significant cost to taxpayers. Once back on the street, they go right back to the top of the priority list. The result is that we engage in using the bulk of housing funds in a never-ending “wash, rinse, repeat” cycle that drains funds and achieves little or nothing. Successes under this approach are so rare, that the individual instances where it succeeds are quite often the subject of entire news stories of their own.
Getting one homeless person off the street and back into productive society is a personal triumph for that individual, but not in any way indicative of a successful approach to dealing with homelessness and the impacts it creates. This is the approach supported by federal policy, and it is an utter and unmitigated failure 12.
The alternative approach is to lead with services, making permanent housing a reward for actively pursuing treatment and engaging in long-term recovery and rehabilitative programs.
The 70-30 Problem
Approximately 30% of our total homeless population is comprised of people experiencing chronic street homelessness.13 This is, essentially, the bulk of those individuals who most people would recognize as homeless. They are defined as living primarily unsheltered, or very frequently using temporary shelters, and having an SMI, DSA, or both. They are also the population that is most resistant to treatment or programmatic assistance, yet consume the majority of all resources dedicated to addressing homelessness.14
The other 70% of the homeless population fall into two categories: episodically homeless, or people who often bounce between homes and homelessness; and transitionally homeless, people who end up homeless for a short period of time, and then quickly return to normal life.15 This last group are people who most folks would not recognize as homeless as they are generally perceived. Sometimes in need of temporary shelter services, these individuals often scrape by on friend’s couches, in their cars, etc.
As one longtime Phoenix homeless advocate is fond of saying, these folks represent the “low-hanging fruit” in the homeless services industry, but because of the rules surrounding Continuum of Care requirements, have limited, or virtually no, resources allocated or available to them. And yet these are the individuals who will generally be willing to accept services and treatment. They aren’t choosing a lifestyle of chronic street homelessness, and will generally seek to improve their condition if given a chance. Physical, mental and substance abuse barriers are far lower among this population as well.
Efforts begun under the Trump administration began to seek changes to this paradigm, offering greater flexibility to states and cities to shift their approach to focus on service delivery up front, but have been quickly abandoned in favor of a return to strict Housing First requirements.16
Barriers to Change
In addition to the federal law and rulemaking limitations noted above, Court rulings have dramatically limited the ability of states to successfully craft solutions that work for their citizens, to wit:
In Reed et al v Town of Gilbert, et al the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that jurisdictions may not make panhandling illegal, and may not place more restrictions on the practice than are necessary to reasonably ensure safety of both those engaged in panhandling, and those they are attempting to solicit.17
In Martin v City of Boise the 9th Circuit Court of the United States ruled that jurisdictions may not ban camping on public property, unless there are enough shelter beds available to those who want them.18
However, as the court notes, the ruling in Martin v Boise is limited:
“Our holding is a narrow one. Like the Jones panel, “we in no way dictate to the City that it must provide sufficient shelter for the homeless, or allow anyone who wishes to sit, lie, or sleep on the streets . . . at any time and at any place.” Id. at 1138. We hold only that “so long as there is a greater number of homeless individuals in [a jurisdiction] than the number of available beds [in shelters],” the jurisdiction cannot prosecute homeless individuals for “involuntarily sitting, lying, and sleeping in public.” Id. That is, as long as there is no option of sleeping indoors, the government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, on the false premise they had a choice in the matter.”
Additionally, numerous court rulings have addressed the rights of individuals with SMI or DSA to decline treatment. [Citations Here] These rulings can effectively be summarized as follows: unless an individual is determined to be a threat to themselves or society, they cannot be placed in an inpatient facility against their will. This means, unfortunately, that there is no way to get disturbed or addicted individuals the help they need without the use of the criminal justice system. We will seek to work with Arizona’s federal delegation to change these laws but, in the meantime, we will use the tools we have.
Solutions
Arizona must move aggressively to address homelessness and the impacts of homelessness on our community, rather than allow the issue to continue to grow unchecked by the current, failed Housing First approach. As the experience of other states makes clear, simply pouring more money into the current system is We are proposing here a comprehensive, statewide strategy to address homelessness focusing both on providing enhanced shelter, service and treatment options, but also on taking affirmative steps to restore the quality of life and reduce the impacts of chronic street homelessness on our broader population.
Simply put, while we can and must have compassion for our homeless population, we must also have compassion for citizens impacted by the societal impacts of chronic street homelessness. As much as the homeless have a right to live and be treated with respect, so do Arizona families. Mothers should not be afraid to take their kids to play in the park for fear of them being stuck with a discarded needle, or walk down the street without being aggressively accosted. Rampant crime and blight from homeless encampments cannot be allowed to continue to destroy historic neighborhoods or visit devastation on our open spaces.
Providers and homeless advocates have made it abundantly clear in recent years, however, that they have zero consideration for these impacts, and expect our citizens to simply accept the horrific violence, sex assaults, crime, and blight being generated by chronic street homelessness as the price of being “more privileged”.
We do not. Therefore, we are proposing the following:
Expand Temporary Shelter Facilities
Dramatically increase shelter bed availability by working with state agencies to immediately identify locations for and construct semi-permanent tent facilities in strategic locations around the state as a temporary measure while additional permanent facilities are developed. In doing so, we will provide more than enough beds to meet the requirements laid out by the 9th Circuit in Boise.
Invest in Long Term Facilities
This means locating and building more permanent shelter facilities. However, it also encompasses an expansion of halfway houses, treatment centers, and supported long-term living facilities
Leading with Services
State funding and support will be contingent on service organizations adopting an approach of leading with services vs Housing First. Organizations that do not adopt this approach will no longer be eligible for state assistance or grants. Funding will be diverted to organizations that either support this approach, as well as new organizations willing to take on these challenges with innovative new models.
Ban Urban Camping Statewide
Once we have created enough shelter bed availability to meet the test outlined in Boise, we will immediately ban urban camping statewide. We will no longer accept the impacts of rampant chronic street homelessness in our neighborhoods. Individuals who violate this statute will be subject to immediate arrest and detention.
Enhanced Enforcement of Quality-of-Life Issues
To address issues created by chronic street homelessness in regards to blight, harassment, aggressive solicitation, intimidation, theft, public intoxication, public lewdness, and a host of other problems, we will direct DPS to engage in a “Broken Windows” approach to policing, and tie state funding for counties and municipalities to the same. Jurisdictions which refuse will not be eligible for state revenue sharing or assistance, except as required by the Arizona Constitution.
Arrest & Offer Treatment
We will aggressively arrest homeless individuals who break the law, but offer diversion and expungement of their record for individuals who are willing to accept treatment and services, or can demonstrate that they do not require such services and are only experiencing transitional homelessness.
Treatment programs will follow three pathways:
Voluntary: chosen by patient, patient may choose to leave the program at any time AMA
a. Patient requests access at location, via service provider, or community outreach org
b. Patient taken to treatment center for medical, psychological, substance, and resources assessment.
c. If necessary, patient placed overnight in shelter facility to give providers time to complete assessment.
d. Initial treatment and / or intake plan formulated with providers, agreed to by patient
e. In-or-out patient treatment begins at designated facility.
f. Patient is secured in long-term housing with supports as defined by long-term care plan
2. Voluntary: chosen by patient, patient may choose to leave the program at any time AMA
a. Upon fifth involuntary hospitalization, patient is determined by law to be a threat to themselves and is taken to approved center for medical, psychological, substance abuse, and resources assessment.
b. Initial treatment and/or intake plan formulated & agreed to by designated care medical care specialist or physician.
c. If resource assessment determines family structure exists to incorporate patient without further public assistance, or with more limited public assistance, skip to step ‘h’.
d. In-patient treatment begins at designated facility
e. In-or-out patient treatment begins at designated facility
f. Assigned physician oversees treatment and collaborates with patient on medical release plan.
g. Upon fifth involuntary hospitalization, patient is determined by law to be a threat to themselves and is taken to approved center for medical, psychological, substance abuse, and resources assessment.
h. Long-term care plan established
i. Patient transfers to transitional housing
j. Patient is secured in long-term housing with supports as defined by their long-term care plan
k. Family supportive housing – if available – may be substituted at any time during this process for public / medical placement.
3. Involuntary Criminal: Directed or voluntary diversion from criminal prosecution
a. Patient is arrested for crimes against person or property, based on eligibility (no sex crimes, no serious violent crimes), patient is offered diversion from criminal processing to in-patient treatment facility.
b. Patient is retained in secured in-patient medical treatment center to give providers time to complete assessment.
c. Initial treatment plan formulated and agreed on by designated medical care specialist and patient.
i. If patient does not agree to treatment plan, they are returned to criminal justice system for standard processing.
d. In-patient treatment begins at designated facility
e. Assigned physician oversees treatment and collaborates with patient on medical release plan.
i. Patient has right to contest treatment plan and in-patient status at any time. However, failure to complete proscribed program will result in return to criminal justice system for standard processing.
f. Long-term care plan established
g. Patient transfers to transitional housing
h. Patient is secured in long-term housing with supports as defined by long-term care plan
i. Patient is secured in long-term housing with supports as defined by long-term care plan.
Campaign Against Judges Who Refuse
Arizona has judicial referral, meaning judges in the state are periodically up for confirmation or removal from their posts at the will of the voters. These referrals often receive very few votes, and confirmation is historically nearly guaranteed. That is, it is exceedingly rare for Arizona voters to remove a sitting judge from the bench, largely because most people have no idea if they deserve to be returned to the bench or not, and don’t bother to vote on the question. We will lead a campaign from the Governor’s office, and using the full political power of that office, to remove any municipal, county, or state judges who refuse to support this approach.
Homelessness Prevention
Allocate new and divert existing resources to programs designed to assist people in avoiding homelessness in the first place. Since it is far cheaper to keep someone off the street than get them off the street19, funding services to keep people in existing housing is the most cost-efficient way to reduce overall homelessness. This includes both permanent and temporary support programs to cover gaps for low-income individuals and especially for seniors and disabled people dependent on social security, disability, or government assistance.
Alternative Shelter & Housing
We will additionally invest in alternatives to traditional shelters for families, people with pets, seniors, veterans, those with special needs.
Funding & Coordination
We will initially seek to make an additional $50 to $100 million per year for the first three years available for these programs and services via combination of state, county and municipal funding. However, this program is intended to reduce costs long term We propose allocating half of these funds from state general funds, to be supplemented by increased county and municipal funding of an equivalent amount based on population. However, by switching to an approach of leading with services, provisions within the Affordable Care Act requiring funding for SMI and DSA patients, including supportive housing, provide another avenue to defer costs via both the federal government, and AHCCCS.
Homelessness can no longer be treated as something for only our major cities to address. Phoenix and Tucson, in particular, have historically borne the lion’s share of the burden for our entire state. Going forward, we will seek to create a statewide approach incorporating every jurisdiction within the state in a unified approach via a state working group.
Summary
This proposal represents the most aggressive and forward-thinking plan to address chronic street homelessness and the impacts it is placing on quality of life for our citizens in the country. We can no longer accept the failed approaches of a homeless services industry that is more interested in enabling chronic street homelessness and maintaining their funding than in successfully treating and supporting individuals in a manner that serves both our homeless population and community at large. We do not accept that the negative impacts of chronic street homelessness must be borne in silence by hardworking citizens, parents and children.
We will place the safety and quality-of-life of our citizens first, while giving homeless individuals better services and more options to help them permanently return to productive society. Those who are willing to accept help will find an Arizona standing by, ready to do whatever we can to assist them. Those who refuse will find an inhospitable and legally challenging environment designed specifically to eliminate chronic street homelessness as a lifestyle choice. They are welcome to move on, and we are pleased to recommend they consider heading to California, where Governor Newsom has made it clear that he welcomes their impacts on his residents.
Health & Education
Education for Children & Families First
Introduction:
Quality education is critical to the future of our state, and our nation. Yet while Arizona has poured billions of additional dollars into our schools in recent years, results and outcomes achieved by that additional spending have been essentially unchanged. Worse, when Covid-19 hit, government schools were immediately shuttered and kids forced into years of masked, distanced, box-lunched education that has directly harmed their mental well-being and stifled their educational attainment in direct contravention of the actual science followed by virtually every other nation on earth.
Charter schools provide the silver lining in Arizona education. Many remained open for in-person instruction throughout the bulk of the pandemic. In 2020-21, Arizona charter schools saw an 8.7 percent increase in enrollment. Over 230,000 Arizona students are enrolled in charter schools, representing the highest percentage of students enrolled in charter schools of any state. Arizona charter schools are among the best in the nation. And Arizona charters outperform their peer government-run schools in nearly every metric. All this, despite lower per-student funding than traditional government-run schools, which receive federal and local sources of funding not available to charters.
It is essential that Arizona focus on developing students capable of taking on the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution – both in the knowledge economy and physical workforce. And while charter schools are an essential element of that development, with many schools such as the Basis and Great Hearts networks producing extremely well-educated, college-bound graduates with high-level skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) subjects, many areas of Arizona – particularly rural areas – do not have access to these schools. Other students choose government-run schools for sports and extracurricular opportunities, or simply because their location and bus services provide greater convenience for families.
The Republican focus in education – which has been largely devoted to promoting and developing the nation’s strongest charter system, and our vibrant private school choice programs through Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, School Tuition Organization, and Scholarship Tax Credit program have produced excellent results for students attending those institutions. And while these programs have benefitted tens of thousands of Arizona families, there are hundreds of thousands more that need better access to them. The next governor of the state must put forward a plan to address improving educational outcomes and opportunities for all students, whether attending traditional government-run schools, charters, private schools, alternative learning, or homeschool students.
100% Backpack Funding
School choice improves outcomes for children of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. That’s why we’re going to fund students, not systems. As parents, you decide where you want your kid to go to school, send them there, and their state funding will follow them. No waitlists, no applications, no hurdles or hoops to jump through, period.
Further, this funding will be fractionalized by course, so that parents and students can mix and match the best educational opportunities available to them. So, for example, if a parent has a kid in a large government-run school for sports, but wants them to be able to take select advanced courses via another institution, they will be able to do that, without paying out of pocket for those services.
Additionally, this funding will be available to parents who wish to seek out alternative learning arrangements, such as neighborhood pods, for their kids.
This is 100% school choice, without barriers – you decide what’s best for your kid, and you direct your tax dollars towards the educational opportunities that fit your family’s needs.
Dual Track Education After 10th Grade:
Technical education offers a path to highly paid, stable careers, without the crushing debt colleges and universities have foisted on students since the federal government began guaranteeing student loans. Additionally, these careers offer higher earnings potential leading to better economic outcomes for students. Traditional technical fields such as construction, automotive repair, plumbing, welding, etc. – which pay well and are in high demand – are being supplemented by advanced programs in coding, high tech manufacturing, medical support, and laboratory sciences, among many others.
Arizona’s recent high-tech growth is vastly increasing the demand for trained individuals in these fields and many others. Graduates from Arizona’s handful of technical academies, such as the East Valley Institute of Technology are earning high-paying jobs in rewarding fields immediately out of high school. Further, the only way to alleviate Arizona’s housing crisis going forward is to build more housing – and we need thousands more skilled tradesmen and women to do it.
My goal is to create a statewide system of these institutions, with a particular focus on rural Arizona, that will work hand-in-hand with business and industry leaders to ensure that every single student in our state has the opportunity to decide between pursuing a traditional four-year college track, or a technical degree field, after 10th grade.
Covid: Vaccine & Mask Mandates, School Closures:
You have a right to decide what medical treatments and procedures are appropriate for your children, and should not be forced to subject them to unproven and largely untested vaccines rushed through by the federal government.
Further, masking children in school has been shown to have negative effects on their social development and language skills. It’s time to end the covid theater. If you and your kids choose to wear masks, that’s your decision, it should never be a mandate, and under my leadership it will not be.
Lastly, remote learning done by districts with no experience in online education was a disaster that will not be repeated. School closures and remote learning requirements will not be allowed to continue or return, period. Many of our children – particularly those most vulnerable children who were already experiencing poverty and the numerous educational deficits attached to it – lost over a year and a half of education, and the results will be felt for a generation. Indeed, the World Bank estimates that learning loss due to remote learning during covid could cost students worldwide as much as $17 trillion in lifetime earnings.
No More “Teaching to the Test”
One of the primary complaints I’ve heard from students, teachers, and parents alike is the pressure of “teaching to the test”, as a significant portion of each school year is devoted to preparation for the AZMerit testing program. Further, data shows that teaching to the test is harming students and stunting their educational growth. We’re going to end it. Annual state-mandated testing will be replaced by every student taking the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) in the 4th, 8th, and 12th grades, so that only 3 tests are required by the state during a student’s career, instead of annual testing beginning in the 3rd grade.
The NAEP is the gold standard of internationally-benchmarked tests, and provides a direct comparison between Arizona students and those elsewhere in the United States and around the world. Per federal funding guidelines, schools will still be required to submit an annual assessment plan. However, unlike AZMerit and similar testing requirements, these assessments will make it clear to parents how their child is doing and will be focused on providing benchmarking for schools to develop instructional plans to improve outcomes for each student – unlike AZMerit and similar tests whose scores come with high stakes, and for which results are not provided until well into the following school year, eliminating their usefulness as instructional tools.
Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum
Arizona schools should not be used as factories to churn out deliberately mis-educated progressive activists. Accordingly, we will align state standards to the Hillsdale 1776 curriculum, and end the progressive indoctrination of students being undertaken in concert with the a-historical and factually inaccurate 1619 Project curriculum. Even the authors of the 1619 Project admit is not history, but an attempt to build and control a narrative for political purposes. Unlike the 1619 Project, the Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum is factually accurate, presents a balanced view of U.S. history, and is available for free to schools across the country.
Strengthen Ban on Critical Race Theory and Other Radical Ideologies
In line with the shift to a more balanced and historically accurate narrative in history and social studies, we will strengthen Arizona’s ban on Critical Race Theory, and any associated curriculum (including Social-Emotional Learning and Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs) which have adopted the tenants of CRT in their materials. These programs have created a culture of fear and race-based animosity which are tearing our schools and our kids apart. Kids are afraid to speak their minds for fear of retribution from peers and school officials alike. It has to stop.
Martin Luther King Jr. had it exactly right when he called for a nation where people would be judged on the content of their character, and not the color of their skin. We’re going to get Arizona back to that ideal.
Despite what the radical indoctrinators peddling this garbage will say, the United States was not and is not built on a foundation of racism. We do not need to view all outcomes as a result of race. And telling students that they are either oppressors or oppressed based on pigmentation is evil. We won’t tolerate it, and will root out this hateful indoctrination, no matter how many times practitioners try to re-brand their garbage ideology.
Increase Teacher Pay, Not Administration
Supporters of Government-run schools constantly demand more money for teachers, but routinely take the increased funding that has been provided and allocate it to ever-increasing administrative bloat and underutilized facilities. It’s a shell game – one in which teachers are used as pawns by their own unions and associations – and all the evidence suggests the real objective is to fund and support the political objectives of union leaders at the expense of students, parents, and teachers alike.
(Keep in mind that most of the data presented here – due to reporting lag – does not reflect the significant increases in school funding since 2019). School funding is now at historically high levels both in Arizona and across the country. And yet, adjusted for inflation, teacher salaries have remained essentially flat, even declining in some cases, including Arizona. At the same time, administrator salaries have spiked, as have the number of administrators employed by school districts.
Government-run school leaders appear to be deliberately keeping teacher pay low so they can be used as sympathetic figureheads in a quest for additional funds, which then will largely be used to continue padding administrative budgets. School boards in Arizona have been, frankly, derelict in overseeing funds, most often simply acquiescing to the demands of the Superintendents who, supposedly, work for them, but whom many school board members see as the ultimate authority for their districts.
Further, there is no evidence that increased funding of government-run schools results in student gains. Many of the most highly-funded government-run schools in America have results similar to, or worse than, those of Arizona students, including New York ($25,139 per pupil per year), the District of Columbia ($22,406), and California ($20,000+).
However, like many states, Arizona does not have enough classroom teachers. Past efforts to increase teacher pay, including current Governor Ducey’s 20×2020 Plan, have resulted in gains, however, large portions of those funds have been redirected to other areas of spending, particularly administration, and most of the gains in teacher pay should already have been accounted for from increases in the standard funding formulas for schools. In short, teachers have received thousands of dollars per year less than was earmarked for them by the legislature. It is therefore entirely clear that while we need to provide more money (and a better work environment) for teachers, we cannot trust school districts to direct allocated funds to teachers, as they continue to play games to keep teacher pay low for publicity purposes and to aid in the acquisition of additional funds.
Therefore, as Governor, I will focus on providing direct additional assistance to teachers using appropriated additions to the Prop 301 funding formula for teacher bonus incentives. There’s nothing I’d like more than to have our excelling teachers make exponentially more money through their bonus pay. If they are performing well and helping our kids improve, they should be compensated accordingly. I want our best teachers to be recognized and to be the highest paid in the country.
Update and Expand Parents Bill of Rights
As government-run school classrooms have increasingly become less about educational outcomes, and more about leftist ideological indoctrination, it is more critical than ever that parents have direct, easy access to the curriculum, assignments, and projects their children are being exposed to, and especially to have control of any medical decisions being made for or by your kids. Therefore, I will push to expand Arizona’s Parents Bill of Rights, modeled on the recent legislation passed in Florida.
Put simply: you have a right to know what your kids are being taught, how they’re being taught, and to make any medical decisions for minor students without interference or obstruction from your school, district, or the State of Arizona.
Sex Education Starts in 5th Grade
Radicalized sex education for children under the age of 10 has no place in our school system, and there is no reason to allow these programs to continue infiltrating schools all the way down to the kindergarten level. We will ban these programs entirely for K-4 students, who are too young and impressionable to have permanent life choices foisted on them by authority figures in the classroom. We do not need activist-educators pushing their sexuality or personal sexual preferences on little children, and under my leadership, it will simply not be tolerated.
Support Homeschooling
Homeschool parents are rightly proud of the gains they have made to be accepted as equals within the educational system of Arizona. We will support those gains to the fullest by continuing to require all Arizona universities to treat the transcripts of homeschool students as equal to those of any other student. Further, under my administration, parents who choose to homeschool their children will be given a seat at the table on both the state Board of Education and Board of Regents. Homeschool students are achieving at extremely high levels in every area of academic and career attainment, and the sacrifices of the parents who have made this commitment deserve to be recognized.
Conclusion
When it comes to education, we all want the same thing: better schools, better results, and better pay for great teachers. How we get there is the challenge, and my education plan does just that. If we can ensure that our precious tax dollars actually end up in the classroom, directly benefitting students, we will be able to better compensate our great teachers and attract a new generation of dedicated, inspired educators. It’s simple: the better the teacher, the better chance our students will thrive. We also need more options for parents. Much like we saw with Obamacare, we know that a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach from government does not work. It doesn’t work in healthcare, and it doesn’t work in education, either. Our children are all made gloriously different by God. They all have unique and individual learning needs and their families need every option available to them so they can pursue the education model that best fits them. We must restore power to the parents and super-charge the achievement of our students
It is time to put families, kids, and teachers first. This plan outlines a significant commitment to that objective.
Human Rights
Pro-Life
I am pro-life and believe that every life, starting at conception, is worth saving. The pro-life movement stands strongly in support of providing the resources necessary for mothers to embrace life, as do I. As Governor, I will put significant new resources into helping pregnant women choose life-saving options including adoption, parental support and guidance, and neo-natal treatment.
Nationwide, there are over 2700 pregnancy care centers that serve millions of women annually, and government programs like the Texas Alternatives to Abortion Program which provides counseling, material assistance, care coordination, and housing support. I will ensure Arizona matches and exceeds all other states in supporting these centers and the amazing work they are doing.
Further, it takes two to make a baby. Many fathers report extreme distress in the wake of an abortion, however, fathers must also be held accountable and directed to support women they have impregnated throughout their pregnancy, not just after the baby is born, and I will seek to reform Arizona’s laws to ensure they do.
In short, we must ensure that any barriers to a mother choosing life are removed.
But we must also support people who choose to act responsibly when they are not ready to have a child, and that means making all common forms of birth control available over-the-counter, and providing assistance to those who are financially unable to pay for their own birth control.
Public Safety
Second Amendment
Shall. Not. Be. Infringed.
Secure the Border – Finish the Wall
As Americans, we welcome all legal immigrants into our country, but what we have now is a security and humanitarian crisis. International criminal cartels are fully in control of Northern Mexico and have turned the flood of people wanting to get into the United States into just another lucrative revenue source to be exploited – they are raping, ransoming, and extorting some of the most vulnerable people in the world, and they won’t stop until we stop them.
That’s why I am committed to finishing the wall. I will not let this suffering continue.
As Governor, I will direct the Arizona National Guard to deploy along the border and assist Border Patrol for as long as it takes to get control of this disaster. Additionally, while our Department of Public Safety doesn’t have a direct role in immigration enforcement, they are a frontline resource in combating sex and human trafficking and drug smuggling. I will expand and redeploy elite elements of DPS to our border to coordinate a massive increase in our efforts to stop these evils. Further, trespassing is a crime, and another area where DPS can take a leading role in addressing illegal immigration as many crossers traversing private land.
But we can go further, I will empower Arizona sheriffs to deputize Arizonans, including retired law enforcement, military, and others with critical training, to assist DPS in enforcing the law and securing our border. Additionally, I will allocate state resources to assist in funding these programs as well as provide hiring and retention bonuses to our law enforcement agencies to help address their staffing shortages.
While the Biden administration may turn a blind eye to all the crime and suffering illegal immigration is bringing with it, we will not. We will enforce our laws every time, without fail. And we will keep the pressure on Washington.
Defend Arizona: We Will Do What Washington Will Not
The ongoing border crisis is nothing less than a national security and humanitarian disaster. In 2021 alone, Customs and Border Protection apprehended nearly two million illegal immigrants (1) crossing the southwest border. Violent drug cartels control large swaths of the U.S.-Mexico border and are moving record amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, khat, and the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl (2) into communities throughout Arizona and the United States.
These staggering figures represent only a small part of the chaotic picture as an estimated 400,000 individuals (3) evaded apprehension between ports of entry last year and disappeared into the interior of the United States. While many of those coming to the United States seek a better life, violent narco-terrorists are taking advantage of the mayhem and making millions of dollars every day (4) as they traffic and abuse women and children, murder their rivals, and sow chaos through illicit drug smuggling at the expense of innocent Arizonans and migrants.
Op-Ed:
Kari Lake: Arizona Will Do What Washington Won’t – Finish the Wall and Defend Our State
Help Kari win! The border is under attack, and we need a fighter who will stand up to Biden’s open border policy Donate $10 or more today to Save Arizona!
As the Biden administration and federal lawmakers refuse to pursue and enact the federal policies necessary to secure the southern border, it is self-evident that states must boldly step into this breach and do what Washington D.C. simply will not: protect the citizens of Arizona and finally put an end to the violence, chaos, and human misery caused by our unsecured border with Mexico.
As governor, I will do precisely that. I will act boldly and aggressively to bring an end to our border crisis starting on day one. And I will see this mission through to the final minute of the final hour of my tenure as governor of our great state. The good people of Arizona deserve strong leadership that is decisive and committed to nothing less than our full safety and to the well-being of our communities.
The Problem:
Arizona’s border with Mexico stretches 373 miles, representing 19 percent of the total length of the U.S.-Mexico border. For perspective, the combined total length of the shared border in New Mexico and California is 320 miles. U.S. Border Patrol is overwhelmed by the crisis and morale is dangerously low as President Biden and his administration refuse to lift a finger to abate this ongoing disaster.
Apprehensions of illegal immigrants in the Yuma Sector alone were up 2,405 percent in October and November 2021 (5) compared to the same timeframe in 2020 during the final months of President’s Trump’s term. In just a five day period in early December 2021, nearly 6,000 illegal immigrants entered the Yuma area prompting Mayor Nicholls to declare a local emergency and plead for both state and federal assistance (6).
Among those arrested in Yuma sector, at least 17 individuals were from designated special interest nations with close ties to international terrorism, including 11 Iranian citizens arrested last February (7). And since October 2020, in the Tucson sector alone, an estimated 105,000 illegal immigrants have evaded apprehension and slipped inside Arizona–as well as the greater U.S. interior (8). We have no idea who or where these people are.
Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County has reported a 300 percent increase in vehicle chases over the past year, often from human traffickers and smugglers affiliated with cartels (9).
In Nogales, Border Patrol agents have reported that fentanyl seizures were up 56 percent in the past year just in their area (10). For perspective, nearly 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2020. In Arizona, that number was 2,644 Arizonans–a spike of 34 percent from 2019 (11).
The majority of the overdose deaths are stemming from synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which is often laced in other drugs or counterfeit medications. A more accurate assessment, therefore, is that thousands of Americans are dying from cartel-inflicted fentanyl poisonings. This deadly synthetic opioid only requires 2mg to kill someone.
In 2021, U.S. border agents seized enough fentanyl (over 11,000 pounds) to potentially kill 2.54 billion people. Put another way, murderous drug cartels operating in northern Mexico sent enough fentanyl across the U.S. border in one year to potentially kill a third of the entire world population.
The head of the National Border Patrol Council accurately blamed the escalating crisis in the Yuma and Tucson sectors on the cartels, who are sophisticated enough to adapt their tactics to move people and drugs across the border and into our communities (12).
Arizonans lives are being turned upside down and our national security is being jeopardized while President Biden, congressional Democrats, and Washington bureaucrats refuse to carry out their constitutional obligations to protect us. Sadly, this is not a new development.
For decades, federal commitments to protect our nation’s sovereign borders have largely been abandoned even as the danger to our communities and our nation has only intensified. But it isn’t just amnesty-obsessed members of Congress or open-borders staffers in the West Wing that have abdicated their duty to American citizens in favor of ideological extremists on the left. Activist federal judges have also stymied past efforts in Arizona to put an end to the evils of the cartels (13).
Except for an all-too-brief period under President Trump’s leadership, much of Washington D.C’s focus on immigration and border issues has been about incentivizing continued illegal immigration to satisfy big business’ lust for cheap labor, rewarding non-citizens for breaking our laws so that political leaders can virtue signal in the false name of compassion, and crassly pushing mass amnesty for millions of non-citizens as a means of solidifying a permanent political majority.
In the vacuum, violent international narco-terrorists have taken advantage of Washington’s dereliction of duty, navel-gazing, and vanity. A detailed threat assessment report released by the Drug Enforcement Agency (14) revealed that these transnational cartels are not only responsible for the vast majority of fentanyl entering the United States, but also are responsible for the majority of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroine coming into our communities.
And we see the ramifications playing out everyday in Arizona with very real consequences for real people. Citizens are dying. Families are being torn apart. Communities are being fragmented.
President Biden and the Democrats’ response to all of this chaos?
An immediate reversal of the Trump-era policies that successfully deterred illegal immigration (15), months of denial that the crisis even exists (16), followed by a check-the-box exercise tasking an out-of-her-depth Vice President with tackling an issue she neither understands nor cares about.
This despite a record-breaking number of illegal immigrants that entered the United States last year, a record amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine seized at the border, and a record number of Americans dying from fentanyl poisonings all over Arizona and the United States (17).
The message is painfully clear. Washington has no intention of helping us. In fact, every action out of our nation’s capital seems aimed at exacerbating the crisis, instead of trying to resolve it. The time is long past for Arizona to lead. As governor, that is precisely what I will do.
The Solution:
While Washington politicians dither, real people are being harmed by their refusal to secure our border and bring an end to the criminal activity occurring both on the border and in our communities. As governor, I will put a stop to this beginning on day one and will implement policies that ensure the safety of Arizonans will continue long past my last day in office.
Call to the States: An Interstate Compact for Border Security
The core of this framework starts with Arizona leading a coalition of like-minded states in drafting an interstate compact to secure the border. The federal government guarantees protection to the states under Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution. However, Washington is outright refusing to hold up their end of the bargain. Therefore, under Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, Arizona will invoke our inherent power to fend off the invasion at our southern border in the absence of federal protection.
And make no mistake: with nearly two million illegal immigrant apprehensions this past year and another estimated 400,000 that evaded border patrol agents, courtesy of violent international drug cartels operating inside northern Mexico, this is an invasion.
This compact will call for the creation of an interstate commission, comprised of representatives from participating states, to oversee joint operations along the U.S.-Mexico border, starting in Arizona. The compact will make it crystal clear that the states are sovereign and have every right to secure the borders of the United States.
Within the confines of this compact, member states will:
Exercise their inherent Article I authority to declare their territories as under invasion and declare it their sovereign right to secure the borders of the United States;
Authorize the creation of a dedicated border security force consistent with state law enforcement functions to engage in joint border security operations;
Authorize the compact’s border security force to arrest, detain, and return illegal immigrants back across the border;
Invalidate federal restrictions and regulations on border enforcement administered by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Bureau of Land Management; and
Share law enforcement resources, equipment, and intelligence when requested.
The interstate commission overseeing the border security efforts will report directly to participating states’ legislative bodies and also report its activities to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a courtesy. The commission will keep Washington informed of our security efforts, but it will not seek Washington’s permission for its operations. The mission undertaken by this new interstate compact on border security will continue until the border is secure or until the federal government resumes its guarantees under Article IV, Section 4 and recommits itself to its constitutional duties to protect our nation’s borders and protect the states.
If Washington intends to abandon Arizona, we will exercise a federalist remedy with like-minded states across our great nation to deal with the crisis ourselves. And with Arizona leading a coalition of states, we will empower our law enforcement with the ability to secure our border and our interior from the lawlessness and evils of the cartels.
Critics have often claimed that the border is a federal responsibility. And statute is clear that the federal government is responsible for enforcing security at our nation’s borders. But statute does not supersede the Constitution. If Washington refuses to honor its constitutional requirements, states have every recourse and responsibility to take matters into their own hands.
And that is exactly what we’re going to do.
It is critical, however, for Governor Ducey to move forward on this interstate compact immediately. We simply cannot wait until a new governor is sworn into office in January 2023 to begin this process. It must start now and it is imperative that he assist in setting up the next governor for success on this critical mission.
He has taken some action with regard to the border, but there is so much more that needs to be done. I ask that he continue these efforts with a call to the legislature for the crafting of this interstate compact on border security.
With pooled resources and cooperation at our disposal from like-minded states, we will also move forward with a three-pronged comprehensive approach to simultaneously deter lawlessness, deport criminals, and defend our state.
We Will Deter Lawlessness
The message must be sent loud and clear that Arizona is not a welcoming place for drug smugglers, human traffickers, and lawless activities along our border or inside our state. We have endured this chaos for far too long and as Americans, we have the right to secure ourselves and safeguard our communities through strong criminal deterrence and bold leadership. This will be achieved through:
Finishing Trump’s Wall: The border barrier currently covers about 245 miles out of the 373 total miles of the Arizona-Mexico border (18). Tribal and federal land comprises much of the remaining miles lacking a border wall. This will require separate actions to resolve. However, as governor, I will utilize every resource at my disposal to ensure the Legislature appropriates enough money to complete the estimated 18 miles of President Trump’s unfinished border barrier (19) and to maintain its integrity moving forward.
Any budget that fails to fully fund the border wall’s completion will be vetoed.
Border barrier construction will be partially funded using seized assets from convicted criminals associated with the cartels.
Once completed, Arizona will request full reimbursement from Washington D.C.
Expanding the Arizona Rangers: I will call on the Legislature to restore the Arizona Rangers as a special state-funded law enforcement force. The Rangers currently serve on a volunteer basis. That will soon change and they will be given an official priority mission: secure Arizona’s borders from cartel thugs, assist law enforcement in cracking down on criminal activity along the border, and defend their state.
Enhancing the National Guard Presence: Governor Ducey has kept 250 members of the Arizona National Guard along the border to analyze smuggling routes and install cameras. This mission must continue, but should go much further. I will increase their presence and expand their mission to include:
Destroying smuggler and cartel tunnels. We will do so in consultation with Israeli military officials experienced in dealing with Hamas tunnel networks.
Shooting down drones that cross from Mexico into Arizona airspace.
Giving detainment authority to arrest illegal immigrants and cartel operatives.
Modify HB 2810 to Crack Down on Cartels: Governor Ducey signed legislation in 2021 that overhauled Arizona’s civil asset forfeiture laws. This bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and includes many positive provisions that protect the property rights of Arizonans. However, the Legislature acted too broadly. They should return to the bill and provide a carveout that allows law enforcement to seize property belonging to suspected or known criminals affiliated with the cartels and human trafficking rings under asset forfeiture. This is a critical tool for disrupting the operations of these powerful narco-terrorist networks.
We Will Deport Criminals
President Biden wasted little time undoing President Trump’s strong border enforcement measures and returned to the failed policy of catch-and-release that has served as a catalyst for increased illegal migration. The result has been the largest number of illegal immigrant apprehensions in American history, increased human trafficking and abuse, record amounts of methamphetamine seizures, and record amounts of fentanyl pouring into our towns and communities.
We will defy his failure to protect Arizonans by taking detainment and removal matters into our own hands. This will be achieved through:
Empowering Law Enforcement to Make Trespassing Arrests: Trespassing is a crime in Arizona and first-degree criminal trespassing carries a penalty of up to four years in state prison. Law enforcement officers will be tasked with arresting illegal immigrants, smugglers, and traffickers under existing state trespassing laws as a short-term stopgap to alleviate an overwhelmed and demoralized U.S. Border Patrol. Thousands of illegal immigrants willingly surrender to federal border agents knowing they will be released. Under this protocol, even those who willingly surrender will be arrested for breaking state law.
Creating a Special Border Court: In 1988, Arizona created the Tax Court as a department of the Superior Court in Maricopa County with statewide jurisdiction to handle tax disputes. I will follow a similar model and call for the Legislature to create a special Border Court within the Superior Court apparatus to rapidly adjudicate these trespassing crimes for non-citizen illegal immigrants.
Granting Removal Authority for State Guard/National Guard: As governor, I will do what Texas has done and instruct the Arizona National Guard as well as the newly-created Arizona State Guard to arrest illegal immigrants using state trespassing laws. However, I will go further and exercise Arizona’s inherent state power under Article I of the Constitution to instruct both the National Guard and Arizona Guard to actively return illegal immigrants back across the border to Mexico.
Expanding Communications with the Mexican Government: These new detainment and deportation measures will require expanded communication and consultation with the government of Mexico. I will create a new interagency and governmental task force that will stay in constant communication with Sonora officials on this issue and build on our longstanding relationship with Mexico to underscore why detainment and deportation are vital for our respective security and prosperity.
We Will Defend Arizona
The renewed mission to safeguard Arizonans is one that will take top priority and continue long into the future. The reality is that our unsecured southern border has in practice turned nearly every state in the union into a ‘border state.’ The devastating impact of increased crime, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, human smuggling, opioid-induced poisonings, and drug overdoses is harming communities all over the country.
Arizona has the opportunity to lead the way out of this chaos by defending its sovereignty and its people. We will achieve this through:
Expanding and Redeploying Elite DPS Units: Governor Ducey’s creation of the Border Strike Force Bureau has been an important tool in targeting cartel operatives and trafficking rings. Its mission will not only continue, but expand to work in coordination with the new interstate compact commission and assist in border enforcement and detainment efforts.
Strengthening Relationships with Tribes: Defending Arizona requires a concerted effort to work specifically with the Cocopah Tribe and the Tohono O’odham to help secure the parts of the Arizona-Mexico border that crosses through their territory. Cartel criminal activity on the border desecrates tribal lands as much as it decimates Arizona communities. We must have a shared goal of ensuring the safety of all who call Arizona home.
A new border task force run out of the governor’s office will focus exclusively on working with tribal leaders to find effective and mutually-respectful solutions for securing the border that runs through tribal territory.
Key components of this effort will be emphasizing enhanced cooperation between tribal and Arizona law enforcement, sharing information on criminal activity, and bolstering economic partnerships.
Passing Refuse and Lose Legislation: A top priority for the Arizona Legislature must be the passage of a ‘Refuse and Lose’ law that strips state funding from any county or municipality that defunds law enforcement or employs ‘sanctuary’ policies and also allows the governor to redeploy law enforcement in “defund municipalities” to the southern border. While no sanctuary jurisdictions currently exist in our state, it is critical that we preempt such recklessness now before it’s too late.
Creating a Criminal Illegal Alien Database: Following in the footsteps of our friends in Texas, priority legislation must be passed that creates a new publicly-available database operated by the Department of Public Safety that keeps track of all charges, convictions, and crimes committed by illegal immigrants. It is critical for the public to have a transparent view of the toll our unsecured border is taking on Arizonans.
Pressuring Congress to Move Arizona Out of the Ninth Circuit: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals serves as the vanguard of the radical left’s post-constitutional judicial activism. Arizona has suffered from our inclusion in this circuit. Congress has the power to create the courts. It also has the power to abolish and reorganize them. I will make it a top priority to push our congressional delegation to lead the effort in permanently moving Arizona into the saner confines of the Tenth Circuit.
In addition to the policy priorities and actions outlined above, I will request the Legislature prioritize legislation that:
Redefines the statutory definition of ‘abandoned federal property.’ Millions of dollars of border bollards are currently rusting in the dirt near Guadalupe Canyon (20). If Washington is intent to abandon equipment capable of protecting Arizonans to go unused inside our own state, we will make every effort to seize it and use it ourselves.
Recognizes the cartels as international terrorist organizations to pressure passage of similar action in Washington D.C. The long-term solution to the border requires federal lawmakers and agencies to treat the cartels as the national security threat that they are. Arizona legislators can help show them the way.
Requires strict screening requirements, akin to foster care screening protocols, for placing illegal immigrant minors with sponsors inside Arizona. This will better protect migrant children from exploitation and abuse while helping deter future caravans of unaccompanied children.
The exploitation of our unsecured borders and the cartels profiting off the pain of migrants and the destruction of U.S. communities must come to an end.
Under the Defend Arizona plan–undergirded by an interstate compact of like-minded states working together–we will chart the path for the rest of the nation. And we will show the world that even if our federal officials aren’t serious about protecting our nation’s borders and citizens, state leaders most certainly are.
Conclusion
There is no higher priority or duty than ensuring the safety of Arizonans and there is no cause more worthy than ensuring our nation’s sovereignty is protected from those willing to inflict harm upon all of us.
Our federal government has abandoned its constitutional duties and has abandoned Arizona. We can no longer afford to suffer their abusive indifference. Democrats in Washington do not care about the plight of migrants being abused in the treacherous journey to our border nor do they care about the consequences our unsecured border has on the lives of their own citizens.
They care about political power and the narratives they believe will allow them to hold on to that political power. It’s why the Biden administration recently smeared Customs and Border Protection (CBP) horse agents (21) to appease the open-borders wing of their political base.
As governor, I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done to restore security and sanity to our border. I will not allow false far-left narratives, all-too-often crafted with willing participants in our national press corps, to thwart a policy agenda that puts Arizona first. And I will not wait for Washington’s approval or rely on the empty promises of far-away politicians to do what’s best for Arizonans.
The time is now. Together, we will secure our state, safeguard our communities, and pave a brighter and more secure future for Arizona and our great nation.
See Also
Google Search
More Web Links
Wikipedia
Kari Lake Halperin[1][2] (née Lake; /ˈkɛəri/ KAIR-ee; born August 23, 1969)[3] is an American political figure and former television news anchor. She was the Republican Party‘s nominee in Arizona‘s 2022 gubernatorial and 2024 United States Senate elections.
Beginning her media career in the early 1990s, Lake was the anchor for the Phoenix television station KSAZ-TV from 1999 to 2021.[4] She stepped down from her anchor role shortly before announcing her gubernatorial candidacy, winning the Republican nomination with the endorsement of former president Donald Trump.[5][6] Her campaign was marked by various controversies, including promoting false claims of Trump winning the 2020 presidential election and calling for the imprisonment of those who accepted Trump’s defeat, including her Democratic opponent, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs.[7][8][9] Lake narrowly lost the election to Hobbs in what was the closest gubernatorial race that year, but refused to concede. Lake’s lawsuit challenging the gubernatorial election result lasted nearly two years and was rejected at three levels of Arizona state courts.[16]
In October 2023, Lake announced her candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona. In July 2024, she won the Republican nomination but lost the general election to Ruben Gallego. On December 11, 2024, president-elect Trump announced that Lake would be appointed as the next director of Voice of America.[17][18]
Early life and education
Kari Lake was born in 1969, in Rock Island, Illinois, to Larry and Sheila Lake, who were natives of the Wisconsin communities of Richland and Appleton. Larry taught social studies and was a basketball and football coach at North Scott High School, while Sheila was a nurse.[19][20][21][22] She is the youngest of nine children.[22]
Lake grew up in Iowa.[23] She graduated from North Scott Senior High School in Eldridge, Iowa,[24][25] and then received a Bachelor of Arts in communications and journalism from the University of Iowa.[23]
Media career
In May 1991, Lake began working as an intern at KWQC-TV in Davenport, Iowa, while attending the University of Iowa.[26] She later became production assistant before joining WHBF-TV in Rock Island to be a daily reporter and weekend weathercaster in 1992.[26] In August 1994, Lake was hired by KPNX in Phoenix, Arizona, to be the weekend weather anchor.[27] She later became evening anchor at KPNX before relocating to work for WNYT in Albany, New York in the summer of 1998 when she replaced Chris Kapostasy.[28][29][30]
Lake returned to Arizona in 1999 and became an evening anchor for KSAZ-TV (Fox 10 Phoenix).[31][32] While at KSAZ, Lake interviewed President Barack Obama in 2016 and President Donald Trump in 2020.[33][34]
In her last years working in the media, Lake shared false and unverified information on social media, prompting criticism[35] and acquiring a reputation as a provocateur.[25] In 2018, she opposed the Red for Ed movement, which sought more funding for education through strikes and protests, claiming that movement was a “big push to legalize pot“; she later apologized for the statement (saying that she “made an incorrect conclusion”)[35][36] and, according to the station’s regional human resources director, subsequently took an unexpected month-long leave from her position at the station.[25] In July 2019, Lake was caught on “hot mic” footage promoting her account on the web platform Parler.[25] She shared COVID-19 misinformation on Twitter and Facebook in April 2020.[25] Lake’s statements and actions made her a divisive figure among colleagues in her last years at the station.[25]
In March 2021, she announced her departure from KSAZ, one day after FTVLive, a television news industry website, published a video clip of Lake at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida; the website questioned whether Lake was there as a journalist or as a member of a movement.[35] In June 2021, she announced her campaign for governor.[35]
Political career
Party switches
.jpg)
Lake was a member of the Republican Party until November 3, 2006,[37] when she changed her registration to become an independent. She registered as a Democrat on January 4, 2008, the day after the Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses were won by Obama.[37] Lake returned to being a Republican on January 31, 2012. She explained leaving the Republican Party in 2006 as a reaction to the then-ongoing Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She had supported John Kerry in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2008.[37] She also made several donations to Democratic presidential candidates.[37][38] After launching her campaign for governor in 2021, Lake cited Trump, Ronald Reagan, and Arizona Republican Party chair Kelli Ward, all former Democrats, as precedent for her party-switching.[39]
2022 gubernatorial run
.jpg)
Lake filed paperwork in June 2021 to seek the Republican nomination for governor of Arizona in the 2022 election to succeed incumbent governor Doug Ducey, who was term-limited.[40] Four candidates sought the Republican nomination: Lake; former real estate developer and Arizona Board of Regents member Karrin Taylor Robson; Paola Tulliani Zen, and Scott Neely.[41] Lake and Robson were the front-runners, leading in polling and fundraising.[41] A fifth Republican candidate, ex-congressman Matt Salmon, dropped out of the race after trailing in polls and endorsed Robson.[41]
Throughout her campaign, Lake was described as “a champion of the far-right” movement in the United States.[42][43][44] Lake received Donald Trump‘s endorsement in September 2021.[45] The primary was seen as a “battle” between Republicans aligned with Trump and establishment Republicans. Robson was supported by figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence, governor Ducey, and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie.[46] By the end of 2021, Lake had raised $1.4 million from 12,000 sources.[47] Lake centered her campaign on promoting the false claim that the 2020 presidential election in Arizona and nationwide was “rigged and stolen”; Boris Epshteyn, a former Trump White House aide who promoted Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results, attributed her victory in the Republican primary, despite being “outspent 10-to-1,” to that stance.[45] Lake won the Republican primary in Arizona on August 2, 2022, winning in all counties.[48]
After winning the Republican primary, Lake said that “we’re all big boys and big girls”, urging people to “come together”; however, within a week of that victory, Lake said: “We drove a stake through the heart of the McCain machine”.[49] Later in early November, Lake participated in a campaign event where she told “McCain Republicans” to “get the hell out!”[50] Lake also called the traditional Republican Party “the party of McCain”, and then stated: “Boy, Arizona has delivered some losers, haven’t they?”[50] Her statements were in contrast to her past description of John McCain (Arizona’s former Republican senator) four years earlier, after his death, as “courageous”, “a war hero, icon and a force to be reckoned with”.[50]
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs refused to debate Lake during the election.[51] However, both attended a gubernatorial candidate forum in September 2022, held by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where they separately answered questions.[52]
On November 7, 2022, Lake’s campaign stated that on November 6, a campaign staffer “opened an envelope delivered to our campaign office that contained suspicious white powder. It was one of two envelopes that were confiscated by law enforcement” for testing.[53] On November 11, the Phoenix Police Department said that the Arizona state laboratory had tested the items turned over to them by Lake’s campaign, and found “no substance” inside.[54] After this revelation, Lake’s campaign stated that there actually had been three envelopes, with the first envelope being opened by the staffer having “a white powdery substance along with a hateful letter”, but that the staffer threw the first envelope away, and that the trash was emptied before police were informed, with police being handed the other two envelopes.[55]
COVID-19
In August 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lake led anti-mask rallies,[56] calling on Arizona State University students to go against the university’s mask mandates.[56] Lake said that as governor she would not tolerate mask and vaccine mandates.[57] In November 2021, Lake told a group of Republican retirees that she was taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19 infection. She stated that, as governor, she would work to have hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin produced in the state to “make it easier for us to get these lifesaving drugs”.[58] Lake questioned the science behind COVID-19 vaccines[59] and said that she had not been vaccinated.[60]
Stolen 2020 election claims
Lake had been a leading proponent of the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” from Trump.[7] During her campaign, she aligned herself with Trump[56] and centered her candidacy on promoting election lies.[7][61][62]
Lake claimed President Joe Biden did not receive 81 million votes and that Arizona (which was won by Biden in the 2020 presidential election) was actually won by Trump.[7][63] After the 2021 Maricopa County presidential ballot audit found no evidence of election fraud, she demanded the election be “decertified” – a legal impossibility,[7] as such a process does not exist.[64] Lake tweeted quotes made by Sidney Powell on Lou Dobbs Tonight falsely asserting there was a sweeping election fraud conspiracy. She has advocated imprisoning Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, her Democratic opponent in the gubernatorial race, on baseless and unspecified allegations of criminality related to the 2020 election.[7] Lake also called for imprisoning journalists.[7] Lake repeatedly claimed that defendants arrested in connection with the January 6 United States Capitol attack were “being held in prison without being charged”.[65][66]
Trump endorsed Lake’s candidacy,[67] as did pro-Trump Republican figures such as Arizona congressman Paul Gosar and former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.[68][better source needed] By contrast, Lake’s main primary opponent, Robson, was endorsed by outgoing Republican governor Doug Ducey,[69] as well as Arizona Senate president Karen Fann and Americans for Prosperity.[64] Lake attacked Robson for failing to endorse false claims of election fraud.[61] Lake attended events headed by My Pillow founder Mike Lindell, a prominent promoter of false claims regarding fraud in the 2020 election.[56] During her 2021 campaign for governor, she said that she would not have certified Biden’s 2020 election victory in Arizona if she had been governor at the time.[70] During a June 2022 debate among candidates for the Republican nomination, Lake continued to make baseless claims the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” and “corrupt”.[61]
Fox News reported in July 2022 that nine days before the 2017 Inauguration of Donald Trump, Lake had posted a meme on Facebook that declared the inauguration a “national day of mourning and protest”, in which she asked her followers how they would react to Trump’s inauguration. She asked “Will you be protesting the inauguration?” and how they might protest. The post was deleted after Fox News asked Lake’s campaign about it.[71][72]
In February 2023, Lake said: “We’ve got great candidates on the Republican Party and on our side. We’ve got so many great candidates that if our elections were really fair, I believe the ranks of Congress, the Senate, I think a White House, I think all the state governorships would be Republican if elections were fair”.[73]
Election loss and refusal to concede
In October 2022, Lake twice refused to say that she will accept the result if she lost the election: “I’m going to win the election, and I will accept that result.”[74]
Multiple media outlets projected on November 14, 2022, that Lake had narrowly lost the gubernatorial election to Hobbs.[75][76] Lake’s reaction to this was tweeting that “Arizonans know BS when they see it.”[77] On November 17, Lake still refused to concede her loss, and announced she was assembling a legal team to challenge the results.[78][79]
Arizona’s election results were certified on December 5, with Lake losing to Hobbs by a margin of over 17,000 votes: Lake received 1,270,774 votes, while Hobbs received 1,287,891 votes.[80][81] A January 2023 analysis by a trio of election data experts, collectively known as the Audit Guys, concluded that in Maricopa County, over 33,000 voters who voted Republican in down-ballot races chose to vote for Hobbs instead of Lake, while nearly 6,000 Republican leaning voters did not vote in the gubernatorial election or wrote in another candidate instead of Lake; together, these voters could have flipped the result of the election had they voted for Lake.[82] Conversely, the analysis found that Lake received fewer than 6,000 votes from Democrat-leaning voters in Maricopa County.[82] Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported in February 2023 that its survey of over 3,200 voters estimated that 11% of Arizona Republicans had voted for Hobbs, while 4% of Arizona Democrats voted for Lake.[83]
Lake alleged voter disfranchisement due to ballot printing problems and long waiting lines in Maricopa County, which had elections run by local Republican officials.[78][84] In 70 out of 223 Maricopa County polling sites, voting machine ballots were printed too lightly to be read by tabulators; the problem was caused by a printer setting which had not shown widespread issues during prior testing.[78][85] If voters did not want to wait in line for the issue to be fixed, they could leave to vote at another Maricopa County polling site, with wait times for polling sites being shown online, and many polling sites had little to no waiting lines, stated Maricopa County election officials.[78][79][86] Alternatively, voters could drop their ballots into a secure box (“Box 3”), with these ballots being later tabulated at Maricopa County’s elections headquarters, under monitoring from observers from both parties; ultimately, around 17,000 Maricopa County ballots were dropped into Box 3.[78][79][87] The Arizona secretary of state‘s office spokesperson said that “Every voter who went to one of the voting locations affected was still able to cast their ballot”, and voting rights experts agreed.[88]
Bill Gates, the Republican chair of Maricopa’s Board of Supervisors, partially blamed the long lines on Arizona Republican Party chairwoman Kelli Ward for discouraging voters from using Box 3; she had claimed that Box 3 should not be used as “Maricopa County is not turning on their tabulators downtown today”.[78][89] Lake herself told her supporters to stay in line to vote, while a lawyer for Lake’s campaign assuaged concerns about using Box 3 to vote.[89] Lake’s campaign filed a lawsuit on Election Day to extend voting for another three hours, but Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Tim Ryan declined to do so, stating: “The court doesn’t have any evidence that any voter was precluded from their right to vote”.[90]
While Lake alleged that Republican-dominated areas in Maricopa County were disproportionately affected by the printing problems, The Washington Post found that the percentage of registered Republicans in affected precincts (37%) was very close to the percentage of registered Republicans across Maricopa County (35%), and also found that some Democrat-dominated areas also faced the printing problems.[85][91] Meanwhile, The New York Times analyzed 45 claims of irregularities reported by voters, finding that in 34 of these 45 claims, the voters were able to cast their vote despite an inconvenience; while for the others, three raised problems with voter registration; seven gave unclear accounts as to what exactly happened; and only one said she had been denied the opportunity to vote, though she acknowledged she had arrived at her polling place at the time it closed.[89] Lake self-identified as a “proud election denying deplorable” in December 2022.[92]
Hobbs was sworn in as governor on January 2, 2023.[93] Later in January 2023, Lake posted on Twitter 16 voter signatures, mostly from 2020, suggesting that these were from illegal ballots because the signatures did not match; Arizona law states that “records containing a voter’s signature … shall not be … reproduced by any person other than the voter”, with the exception of those working for the county recorder.[94] She also posted a false claim that almost 250,000 voting attempts failed during the 2022 Arizona elections, without proving that the votes were not counted; during the elections, votes that could not be initially scanned were later counted at another location.[95]
Lake’s campaign raised $2.6 million from Election Day until the end of 2022, while taking in even more money from a non-profit fundraising group started by Lake’s advisers in December 2022; this group became Lake’s main fundraising outlet by February 2023, and is not required to publish donation details.[83] The Arizona Mirror found in January 2023 that less than 10% of the funds raised by Lake after the election were paid to lawyers, despite Lake claiming that the funds were meant for contesting election results.[96]
The results of an independent investigation into the 2022 election’s printing problems was published in April 2023; the investigation was led by a retired chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, Ruth McGregor, who concluded that “the primary cause of the election day failures was equipment failure”, and that no evidence gathered gave “clear indication that the problems should have been anticipated”. McGregor also detailed: “Two-thirds of the general election vote centers reported no issues with misprinted ballots; approximately 94 percent of election day ballots were not faulty”.[97][98]
In February 2024, Lake was questioned about her claims about the 2022 gubernatorial election, to which she replied: “I don’t know who exactly stole the election, but there are a lot of people who are running elections poorly, and we’ve seen the results.”[99]
Defamation lawsuit
In June 2023, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer sued Lake for defamation. Richer alleged that Lake had defamed him by repeatedly accusing him of intentionally sabotaging the 2022 election by printing wrong-sized ballots and injecting 300,000 illegal votes into the Maricopa County vote count; he alleged that Lake’s statements caused threats against him and his family, and resulted in him being ostracized from Republican donors and networks.[100] In December 2023, a Maricopa County judge denied Lake’s motion to dismiss, ruling that Lake’s statements were not “rhetorical hyperbole” and would not be protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution if they were proven to be false.[101][102] In 2024, the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court both rejected Lake’s appeal, clearing the way for a trial.[103][104]
In March 2024, Lake requested a hearing for a default judgment against herself in the defamation case, deciding not to contest the defamation claim, and asking for the trial to proceed to the amount of damages she would have to pay Richer.[105] Within days, Judge Adleman ruled that Lake could no longer claim in court that she had not defamed Richer, because under “well-established Arizona law – a defaulted party loses all rights to litigate the merits of the cause of action”.[106] In November 2024, the court stated that Lake and Richer had settled the defamation case.[107]
2022 election lawsuits
Pre-election federal suit
In April 2022, Lake and Mark Finchem sued state officials, seeking to ban electronic voting machines from being used in her 2022 election.[108] In August 2022, U.S. District Judge John Tuchi dismissed the suit, writing that Lake and Finchem “articulated only conjectural allegations of potential injuries” and thus lacked standing.[109] In his ruling, Tuchi also cited the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, as well as the Purcell principle.[110][111] In December 2022, Tuchi sanctioned Lake’s lawyers in this suit, including Alan Dershowitz, for making “false, misleading, and unsupported” assertions during the case, and making claims without “an adequate factual or legal basis grounded in a reasonable pre-filing inquiry”; he ordered the plaintiffs to pay the defendants’ attorney fees.[108] Tuchi said the sanctions would show that the court does not tolerate litigants “furthering false narratives that baselessly undermine public trust at a time of increasing disinformation about, and distrust in, the democratic process”.[108] The sanction amount was set by Tuchi to be roughly $122,000.[112]
Finchem and Lake’s appeal, aimed at banning electronic voting machines, was rejected in October 2022 by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which highlighted that “counsel for plaintiffs conceded that their arguments were limited to potential future hacking, and not based on any past harm”, and voiced agreement “with the district court that plaintiffs’ speculative allegations that voting machines may be hackable are insufficient to establish an injury”.[113] Finchem and Lake in March 2024 appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which rejected their lawsuit in April 2024.[114][115] Finchem and Lake then appealed again to the Ninth Circuit, which tersely denied the appeal in June 2024.[116]
Post-election state lawsuits
On December 9, 2022, after Arizona certified the election results, Lake filed a new suit in state court, seeking a court order to either overturn Hobbs’ victory and declare Lake as the winner of the election, or redo the election in Maricopa County.[8][117] Lake’s complaint alleged that there were hundreds of thousands of illegal votes in the election, but provided no evidence in support of these claims.[118] On December 19, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson, who was appointed by Republican governor Jan Brewer, dismissed eight of ten counts of Lake’s lawsuit (specifically, her claims of invalid signatures on mail-in ballots, incorrect certification, inadequate remedy, and violations of freedom of speech, equal protection, due process, the secrecy clause, and constitutional rights).[9][119] The judge allowed the remaining two counts (Lake’s claim that election officials intentionally interfered with Maricopa County ballot printers and with the chain of custody of Maricopa County ballots) to go to trial,[120] specifying that Lake would need to prove at trial that the allegations were true and that the alleged actions actually changed the election.[121]
During the two-day trial, Northrop Grumman information security officer Clay Parikh, a witness called by Lake, testified that some ballots had printing errors that would cause tabulation issues, but these misprinted ballots would ultimately be counted after duplicates were made.[122][123] On December 24, Judge Thompson dismissed Lake’s remaining case,[124][123] writing: “Every single witness before the Court disclaimed any personal knowledge of such [intentional] misconduct. The Court cannot accept speculation or conjecture in place of clear and convincing evidence“.[125][126] The judge further ruled that “printer failures did not actually affect the results of the election”, noting that a witness called by Lake testified that “printer failures were largely the result of unforeseen mechanical failure.”[123][125]
A day after the ruling was issued, Lake’s Twitter page attacked the judge in this case, linking to a Townhall article to baselessly claim that “his decision was ghostwritten” by “top left-wing attorneys like Marc Elias.'” No evidence supported the tweet’s claim, and the tweet was deleted the next day, after Secretary Hobbs filed a motion to sanction Lake.[127][128][129] On December 27, Judge Thompson ordered Lake to pay Hobbs $33,000 in fees for expert witnesses and a ballot inspector due to the lawsuit, but did not sanction Lake for filing the lawsuit.[130][131] Lake appealed the dismissal and the order directing her to pay $33,000 in fees.[132]
A three-judge panel of the Arizona Court of Appeals unanimously rejected Lake’s appeal on February 16, 2023.[10][133] The court found that “Lake’s only purported evidence” that long lines at voting centers “had any potential effect on election results was, quite simply, sheer speculation”;[134] that “Lake presented no evidence that voters whose ballots were unreadable by on-site tabulators were not able to vote” (and, indeed, that Lake’s own cybersecurity expert testified to the contrary);[133] and that the evidence in the trial record showed that “voters were able to cast their ballots, that votes were counted correctly and that no other basis justifies setting aside the election results”.[135]
Lake sought to appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court.[11] On March 22, 2023, the Court denied Lake’s request to hear her lawsuit.[136] The Court issued a five-page order ruling that the lower courts had correctly dismissed six of Lake’s seven legal claims, determining that these challenges were “insufficient to warrant the requested relief under Arizona or federal law.”[12][136] For Lake’s remaining legal claim (on signature verification), the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the lower courts incorrectly interpreted her challenge as pertaining to signature verification policies themselves, instead of the application of such policies, and remanded (sent back) the remaining claim to the trial court.[12] After a three-day trial, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson ruled against Lake for her remaining claim on May 22, 2023, thus re-affirming Hobbs’ election.[13] Thompson wrote that Lake had not provided “clear and convincing evidence or a preponderance of evidence” of misconduct in the election, while there was “ample evidence that – objectively speaking – a comparison between voter records and signatures was conducted in every instance [Lake] asked the Court to evaluate.”[13][137] Thompson noted that Lake’s attorneys earlier argued that Maricopa County did not perform signature verification, but later argued that signature verification was performed, but done too quickly.[13] Thompson concluded that it was possible for signature verification to be done quickly and properly when “looking at signatures that, by and large, have consistent characteristics”.[138] Lake was not sanctioned by Thompson for her final claim, as he ruled that while there was no clear or convincing evidence for this claim, it was not necessarily “groundless”.[139]
The Arizona Supreme Court in May 2023 ruled that it was employing “the extraordinary remedy of a sanction” on Lake’s lawyers, imposing a $2,000 fine on them for making “false factual statements to the Court”.[140][141] Lake’s lawyers had falsely claimed in legal filings that it was an “undisputed fact that 35,563 unaccounted for ballots were added to the total of ballots [at] a third party processing facility;[142] in imposing its sanction, the Arizona Supreme Court stated that “no evidence” supported the claim that 35,563 ballots were added, and that Lake’s claim had been disputed by the other side, making the claim of an “undisputed” fact “unequivocally false”.[140]
During Lake’s appeal of Thompson’s ruling against her final claim, she tried to appeal directly to the Arizona Supreme Court, which denied her motion to do so in July 2023, citing “no good cause” for Lake to skip appealing to the Arizona Court of Appeals.[143] Lake’s appeal was rejected by the Arizona Court of Appeals in June 2024, with Judge Sean Brearcliffe stating that Lake had claimed “8,000 uncounted votes”, but this could not overcome her loss margin of over 17,000 votes to Hobbs, and while Lake claimed she had new evidence to present, Brearcliffe found that she already possessed the evidence previously, but did not “analyze” it.[14] Lake appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court in July 2024, which declined in November 2024 to hear Lake’s appeal, ensuring that the lower courts’ rulings were maintained, which ended Lake’s legal challenge against the 2022 result.[144][15]
In April 2023, Lake sued Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, seeking to compel him to produce 1.3 million ballot affidavit envelopes, containing voters’ signatures, names, addresses, and phone numbers. After a September 2023 trial, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah ruled against Lake in November 2023. The court ruled that release of voters’ personal information would bring a “significant risk of widespread voter fraud where none now exists”; would expose voters to harassment, loss of privacy, and identity theft; and had the potential to discourage voting.[145][146] In March 2024, Lake abandoned her appeal of Hannah’s ruling.[147]
2024 Senate run
Lake announced her candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona on October 10, 2023.[148] In November 2023, Politico noted that Lake had pivoted from the fire-and-brimstone approach of her gubernatorial campaign to a more diplomatic approach, seeking to mend relationships with Republicans she had previously attacked.[149] The Hill also noted that Lake “sought to strike a more conciliatory tone with Republicans” compared to her 2022 campaign.[150]
In January 2024, Lake publicly called for Arizona Republican Party chair Jeff DeWit to resign for being “corrupt and compromised”, with DeWit resigning a day later.[151] Before the resignation, a recording of Lake and DeWit conversing in March 2023 had been published by right-wing talk show host Garret Lewis.[151] In the recording, DeWit told Lake that “back east”, “there are very powerful people who want to keep you out” of the 2024 Arizona Senate race and “they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is, in a big way”, for Lake to “take a pause for a couple of years”, while Lake responded: “I can’t be bought.”[151][152][153] Lake called the incident a “bribery scandal”, while DeWit accused Lake acting in a “deceptive” manner by releasing “a selectively edited audio recording” made when Lake was employed by DeWit.[151][153] According to DeWit, he had previously advised Lake to “postpone her campaign and aim for the Governor’s position in two years”.[154] DeWit explained his resignation as due to “Lake’s team” demanding it or he would “face the release of a new, more damaging recording”.[153] In response, two of Lake’s advisors denied having “threatened or blackmailed” DeWit.[151]
In February 2024, she spoke at CPAC, saying she was “tired of beta men” and wanted “some alpha men.”[155] In April, when discussing the 2024 election campaign, Lake said that the “next six months are going to be difficult. If you are not ready for action, and I have a feeling with as many veterans and former law enforcement, active law enforcement … you guys are ready for it […] they’re going to come after us with everything. That’s why the next six months is going to be intense. […] We are going to put on the armor of God. And maybe strap on a Glock on the side of us just in case.”[156]
Lake was defeated by Democratic nominee Ruben Gallego in the November 2024 general election.[157] Lake received around 80,000 fewer votes compared to Gallego.[158] In mid-November 2024, as vote counting was still ongoing, The Washington Post contrasted how Lake was losing by 2% in Arizona when fellow Republican Donald Trump was simultaneously winning by almost 6% in Arizona.[159]
Political positions
Lake identifies as a conservative Republican[37] and described herself in 2022 as a “Trump candidate”.[25] She accused President Joe Biden and Democrats of harboring a “demonic agenda”.[25]
Abortion
In 2022, Lake said that she considers abortion to be “the ultimate sin”.[160] She praised the June 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which held that there was no federal right to abortion under the U.S. Constitution, and overturned Roe v. Wade.[161] In 2022, Lake repeatedly expressed support for an 1864 law from the Arizona Territory period that prohibited abortion in Arizona except to save the life of a mother (saying she was “incredibly thrilled that we are going to have a great law that’s already on the books”), and she called for other states to adopt similar laws.[162][163][164] In November 2023, Lake reaffirmed her support for the 1864 abortion ban.[165]
After Democrats enjoyed electoral success by campaigning for abortion rights, Lake began to distance herself from the law.[162] In early 2024, Lake shifted positions; her website said that she “does not support a federal ban on abortion”[164] and in a March 2024 interview she denounced the 1864 anti-abortion law.[163] Lake instead supported Arizona’s abortion restriction after 15 weeks.[165] On April 11, 2024, after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of enforcing the 1864 territorial law, Lake said the law was “out of step with Arizonans” and urged Arizonan legislators to “come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support”; she described abortion as “a personal and private issue.”[163][166] Days later, on April 16, she discussed people’s ability to sidestep the 1864 law in Arizona by traveling to neighboring states: “Even if we have a restrictive law here … you can go three hours that way, three hours that way, and you’re going to be able to have an abortion”.[167]
Thereafter, on April 20, 2024, Lake changed her position again, returning to her earlier position of supporting the 1864 law, after Governor of Arizona Katie Hobbs and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes indicated that they would not prosecute offenders of the 1864 law. Lake said: “The Arizona Supreme Court said this is the law of Arizona. But unfortunately the people running our state have said we’re not going to enforce it. So, it’s really political theater. […] We don’t have that law, as much as many of us wish we did.”[168][169]
Other views
In an op-ed for the Independent Journal Review, Lake wrote that as governor she would deport illegal immigrants that enter Arizona without seeking federal approval and complete unfinished portions of the Trump wall on the Mexico–United States border.[170]
Lake was criticized for deeming drag queens as being potentially harmful to children despite having attended drag events herself in the past.[171][172] Following the criticism, she clarified that she supports adults being able to attend drag shows, while Lake’s campaign spokesperson, Ross Trumble, also did acknowledge that Lake’s daughter, a minor at the time, attended a private event where a drag queen “showed up as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator.”[173] In 2015, Lake stated on social media that she supported an adult’s and young person’s right to gender transition, but later reversed that position saying in 2022 that both gender and sex are determined at birth.[174][175] After her election loss, she was listed as an honoree and presenter at Mar-a-Lago for the December 15, 2022, “Spirit of Lincoln Gala,” an event held by the Log Cabin Republicans, a political action committee for LGBTQ Republicans.[176][177] In 2024, the Log Cabin Republicans endorsed Lake’s Senate campaign.[178][179]
In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia journalist Liam Bartlett, Lake asserted that Australians “have no freedom” due to strict Australian gun laws.[180]
Personal life
Lake has been married to Jeff Halperin since August 1998.[30] They have two children.[181] She was previously married to Tracy Finnegan, an electrical engineer.[182]
Lake grew up as a Catholic.[183] She previously identified as a Buddhist before 2015 according to her friends.[184] As of 2022, Lake identifies as an Evangelical Christian.[183][184]
References
- ^ “Marriage licenses”. Quad-City Times. Scott County, Iowa. June 16, 1991. p. 5C. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ “Maricopa County Superior Court Docket”. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ “Kari Lake -“. Archives of Women’s Political Communication.
- ^ Goodykoontz, Bill (March 2, 2021). “Why longtime Fox 10 news anchor Kari Lake is leaving the Phoenix station after 22 years”. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Jonathan (August 4, 2022). “Trump ally Kari Lake wins GOP primary for Arizona governor”. Associated Press.
- ^ Cabral, Sam; Slow, Oliver (November 15, 2022). “Trump ally Kari Lake loses to Democrat Katie Hobbs in Arizona governor race”. BBC News.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dale, Daniel (October 16, 2021). “Fact-checking Kari Lake, serial promoter of election lies and early frontrunner in GOP primary for Arizona governor”. CNN. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Richards, Zoë (December 10, 2022). “Republican Kari Lake files lawsuit in bid to overturn Arizona election”. NBC News. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ a b “Judge orders trial this week in Kari Lake’s challenge to Gov.-elect Katie Hobbs’ victory”. 12News. December 19, 2022. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Barchenger, Stacey (February 16, 2023). “Arizona appeals court rejects Kari Lake’s challenge of election loss to Gov. Katie Hobbs”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Billeaud, Jacques (March 2, 2023). “Lake appeals loss in governor’s race to state Supreme Court”. Associated Press. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c Barchenger, Stacey (March 22, 2023). “AZ Supreme Court rejects most of Kari Lake’s election challenge”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Barchenger, Stacey (May 22, 2023). “Judge rules against Kari Lake, affirms Hobbs as AZ governor in election signature verification trial”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Fischer, Howard (June 12, 2024). “Appeals Court says Kari Lake isn’t entitled to rerun of election she lost”. tucson.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Fischer, Howard (November 7, 2024). “Supreme Court quashes Kari Lake’s final 2022 election appeal”. tucson.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ^ [8][10][11][12][13][14][15]
- ^ “Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America”. AP News. December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Falconer, Rebecca (December 12, 2024). “Trump chooses Kari Lake to lead Voice of America”. Axios. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ “Obituaries”. Quad-City Times. October 15, 2009. p. C4. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ “Obituaries”. The Dispatch. May 3, 1995. p. A8. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ “Obituaries”. The Rock Island Argus. December 23, 1985. p. 5. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Cortellessa, Eric (October 26, 2022). “How Kari Lake Went From Local Anchor to New Face of the MAGA Right”. Time.
- ^ a b Look, Marie (November 8, 2010). “Haute Secrets Phoenix: Kari Lake”. Haute Living. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ “The Shield”. North Scott High School. 1986. p. 61. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Outhier, Craig (July 7, 2022). “The Mysteries of Kari Lake”. Phoenix.
- ^ a b Lorenzen, Ron (December 14, 1992). “Comedy Challenge keeps people laughing”. Quad-City Times. p. 2T. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ “Channel 12 hires weather anchor”. The Arizona Republic. August 24, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Herbert, Geoff (November 8, 2021). “Former Upstate NY news anchor running for Arizona governor; endorsed by Trump, Mike Lindell”. Syracuse.com.
- ^ Clancy, Michael (October 17, 1998). “Rumors of Majik 107’s sale persist”. The Arizona Republic. p. D10. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Tropiano, Dolores (August 19, 1998). “Nordstrom remains well-heeled”. The Arizona Republic. p. B8. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Clancy, Michael (September 4, 1999). “‘NewShow’ fluff count still high”. The Arizona Republic. p. D12. Retrieved December 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Clancy, Michael (December 11, 1999). “KEZ’s Maggie Brock on leave because of muscle disorder”. The Arizona Republic. p. D4. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ “FOX 10’s Kari Lake 1-on-1 with President Obama”. WAGA-TV. May 3, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ “Only on FOX: Kari Lake interviews President Donald Trump ahead of Phoenix rally”. KSAZ-TV. February 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Schwarz, D. Hunter (October 15, 2021). “How Kari Lake went from mainstream media to Arizona’s leading MAGA candidate for governor”. Deseret News. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Longhi, Lorraine (April 25, 201). “Local news anchor Kari Lake apologizes for tweet that #RedForEd is cover to legalize pot”. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Resnik, Brahm (June 18, 2021). “Before she embraced Donald Trump, she signed on with Democrats as Barack Obama’s fortunes soared”. KPNX. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ Welch, Dennis (June 15, 2021). “Kari Lake defends donating to Democratic presidential candidates”. KPHO-TV. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Duda, Jeremy (October 11, 2021). “The ‘unstoppable’ Kari Lake?”. Arizona Mirror.
- ^ Oxford, Andrew (June 1, 2021). “Another GOP candidate jumps into governor’s race: Former TV anchor Kari Lake files paperwork to run”. The Arizona Republic.
- ^ a b c Barchenger, Stacey (June 28, 2022). “Matt Salmon leaves race for Arizona governor”. The Arizona Republic.
- ^ Okun, Eli (September 29, 2022). “Politico Playbook PM: Biden to visit storm-torn Florida and Puerto Rico”. Politico. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ “Arizona Governor Election Results”. The New York Times. November 8, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ Singh, Maanvi (November 3, 2022). “‘A really dangerous candidate’: Kari Lake, the new face of Maga Republicanism”. The Guardian. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ a b McGraw, Meridith. “Among Donald Trump’s endorsements, one holds a special place in his heart: Kari Lake”. Politico.
- ^ Siders, David (July 23, 2022). “Trump and Pence squared off in the desert. It was one-sided”. Politico. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Stone, Kevin (January 19, 2022). “Hobbs, Lake each spent more than $1M on Arizona governor race in 2021”. KTAR News.
- ^ “Trump-backed candidate Kari Lake wins Arizona primary”. ABC News. August 5, 2022.
- ^ “Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake again bashes ‘McCain machine’ during CPAC appearance”. KTAR-FM. August 8, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c Folmar, Chloe (November 8, 2022). “Meghan McCain responds to ‘bile trash’ from Kari Lake about John McCain”. The Hill. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ Schmeler, Isabelle (October 22, 2022). “Katie Hobbs sticks with no-debate stance, says Kari Lake wants a ‘spectacle’“. NBC News. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ Raimondi, Michael (September 8, 2022). “Hobbs, Lake take the stage separately in Arizona gubernatorial candidate forum”. KPHO-TV. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ “‘Suspicious envelope’ found in mail at Kari Lake headquarters in Phoenix”. ABC 15 Arizona. November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ Phan, May (November 11, 2022). “Substance not found in ‘suspicious envelope’ mailed to Kari Lake’s campaign headquarters, PD says”. KSAZ-TV. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ McCall, Jonathan (November 11, 2022). “Police say no substance was found inside mail at Kari Lake’s headquarters. Head of security says it was thrown away”. KPNX. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Resnik, Brahm (August 15, 2021). “‘Take the mask and shove it’: Kari Lake leads anti-mask rally at ASU. Here are 5 takeaways”. KPNX. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- ^ “Kari Lake is trying to make the jump from TV news to governor of Arizona. Can she do it?”. KNXV. August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- ^ Schwenk, Katya (November 23, 2021). “Kari Lake Says She’s Taking Hydroxychloroquine to Ward Off COVID-19”. Phoenix New Times.
- ^ Orr, Gabby (January 31, 2022). “Trump at odds with preferred candidates on Covid vaccines”. CNN. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ Bruggeman, Lucien (February 16, 2022). “Candidates’ vaccine hesitancy “demonstrates the limits” of Trump’s grip on GOP, say experts”. ABC News. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ a b c Dale, Daniel (July 1, 2022). “Lie as litmus test: Arizona governor candidate Kari Lake calls it ‘disqualifying’ for rival not to declare 2020 election ‘stolen’“. CNN.
- ^ Cooper, Jonathan J.; Christie, Bob (June 30, 2022). “Republicans square off in raucous Arizona governor debate”. Associated Press.
focused much of her campaign on the lie that the 2020 election was marred by fraud
- ^ Siders, David; Montellero, Zach (September 20, 2021). “‘It’s spreading’: Phony election fraud conspiracies infect midterms”. Politico. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- ^ a b Boehm, Jessica (June 30, 2022). “Lake, Robson spar in debate ahead of GOP gubernatorial primary”. Axios.
- ^ Sherman, Amy (March 17, 2022). “Arizona GOP candidate Kari Lake wrongly says Jan. 6 defendants are in prison without charges”. PolitiFact.
- ^ Fichera, Angelo (February 11, 2022). “Jan. 6 defendants have been charged with crimes”. Associated Press. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Barchenger, Stacey (September 28, 2021). “Kari Lake gets coveted endorsement from former President Trump in Arizona governor’s race”. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
- ^ Clift, Eleanor (November 10, 2021). “Kari Lake Is the Camera Ready, Big-Lie Loving Future of the MAGA Movement”. The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ Sanchez, Yvonne Wingett (July 7, 2022). “Ducey backs Taylor Robson over Trump candidate in Ariz. governor race”. Washington Post.
- ^ Berman, Ari (October 2, 2021). “Trump’s candidate for Arizona governor says she would not have certified Biden’s victory”. Mother Jones. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ Mastrangelo, Dominick (July 20, 2022). “Kari Lake posted anti-Trump meme days before ’17 inauguration: Fox News”. The Hill.
- ^ Spady, Aubrie (July 20, 2022). “Trump-backed Kari Lake shared anti-Trump ‘not my president’ meme on Facebook days before 2017 inauguration”. Fox News. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Blanchet, Ben (February 10, 2023). “Kari Lake’s Idea For A ‘Really Fair’ Election Is Her Most Bonkers One Yet”. Huffington Post. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ Concepcion, Summer (October 16, 2022). “Kari Lake refuses to say whether she would accept loss in Arizona election”. NBC News.
- ^ Smith, Allan (November 15, 2022). “Democrat Katie Hobbs defeats MAGA favorite Kari Lake in high-stakes race for governor in Arizona”. NBC News. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ Watson, Kathryn (November 14, 2022). “2022 Arizona governor’s race: Katie Hobbs defeats Kari Lake, CBS News projects”. CBS News. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ Bump, Philip (November 15, 2022). “Reality waits to see if it has a new supporter”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Cooper, Jonathan J. (November 17, 2022). “Lake refuses to concede in Arizona governor’s race she lost”. Associated Press. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c Berzon, Alexandra; Rutenberg, Jim (November 17, 2022). “Kari Lake says she is ‘exploring every avenue’ to fight her loss, despite no sign of election-tilting problems”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Berzon, Alexandra; Bensinger, Ken; Homans, Charles (December 9, 2022). “Kari Lake Sues Arizona’s Largest County, Seeking to Overturn Her Defeat”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ “Kari Lake files 70-page lawsuit against top Arizona election officials”. Fox 10 Phoenix. December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Pitzl, Mary (January 22, 2023). “How many Republican voters in Maricopa County chose Katie Hobbs over Kari Lake?”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Cooper, Jonathan (February 21, 2023). “Kari Lake looks to harness her movement after Arizona loss”. Associated Press. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ Monroe, Rachel (November 12, 2022). “Counting through the conspiracies in Arizona’s midterms”. The New Yorker. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ a b Bronner, Lenny; Stanley-Becker, Isaac; Wingett Sanchez, Yvonne (November 13, 2022). “Arizona precincts with voting problems were not overwhelmingly Republican”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Schonfeld, Zach (November 17, 2022). “Kari Lake declines to concede, says she’s assembling legal team”. The Hill. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Stone, Kevin (November 9, 2022). “What’s in Box 3? About 17,000 Maricopa County ballots that wouldn’t scan”. KTAR-FM. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ Czopek, Madison (November 22, 2022). “Kari Lake claimed Maricopa County voters were ‘disenfranchised’. Experts disagree”. Politifact. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ a b c Homans, Charles; Berzon, Alexandra; Rutenberg, Jim; Bensinger, Ken (November 19, 2022). “Kari Lake Claims Her Voters Were Disenfranchised. Her Voters Tell a Different Story”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 20, 2022.
- ^ Anglen, Robert (November 8, 2022). “Judge rejects emergency GOP lawsuit to extend voting hours in Maricopa County”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ Wade, Natalie (November 17, 2022). “Posts mislead on Arizona ballot counting in Maricopa County”. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Flynn, Sheila (December 19, 2022). “Kari Lake calls herself ‘proud election-denying deplorable’ in ranting speech”. The Independent. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Cooper, Jonathan (January 2, 2023). “Democrat Katie Hobbs takes office as Arizona governor”. Associated Press. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ Barchenger, Stacey; Ruelas, Richard. “Adrian Fontes asks attorney general to investigate Kari Lake for posting voter signatures online”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ Kochi, Sudiksha (February 3, 2023). “Fact check: Kari Lake falsely claims that nearly 250,000 voting attempts failed in midterms”. USA Today. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ Schwarz, Hunter (January 28, 2023). “Arizona’s Kari Lake hasn’t conceded and has raised millions of dollars since losing”. Deseret News. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ Sanchez, Yvonne; Stanley-Becker, Isaac (April 10, 2023). “Printer glitches in Ariz. election not due to malfeasance, review finds”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Cooper, Jonathan (April 11, 2023). “Paper changes caused Maricopa County printer failure: report”. Associated Press. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (February 20, 2024). “Lake: ‘I don’t know who exactly stole the election’“. The Hill. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ Wong, Kenneth (June 22, 2023). “Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer sues defeated AZ GOP governor candidate Kari Lake for defamation”. FOX 10 Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (December 20, 2023). “Arizona judge: Defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake to move forward”. tucson.com. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ Hupka, Sasha (December 20, 2023). “Defamation case against Kari Lake, filed by Stephen Richer, will go forward, judge says”. Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ Hupka, Sasha. “Kari Lake’s challenge in defamation lawsuit rejected by Arizona court”. Arizona Republic. No. January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Hupka, Sasha (March 5, 2024). “Arizona Supreme Court rejects Kari Lake’s appeal in defamation case, lifts temporary stay”. Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Levine, Sam (March 27, 2024). “Kari Lake won’t contest claims she defamed Arizona election official”. The Guardian. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ Schutsky, Wayne (March 28, 2024). “Judge: Lake can’t legally challenge Richer’s defamation allegations”. kjzz.org. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Sanchez, Yvonne (November 17, 2024). “Kari Lake settles election defamation case brought by Arizona official”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c McAfee, David (December 2, 2022). “Kari Lake’s Counsel Sanctioned for False Claims in Election Suit”. Bloomberg Law. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Pitzl, Mary (August 26, 2022). “Lake, Finchem lawsuit to ban voting machines tossed due to lack of evidence of problems”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ “Judge tosses Lake, Finchem lawsuit to stop use of voting machines”. KTVK and KPHO-TV. August 27, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ McDaniel, Michael (August 26, 2022). “Arizona GOP candidates lose bid to ban ‘exploitable’ voting machines”. Courthouse News. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Nick (July 14, 2023). “Kari Lake’s team ordered to pay more than $122K in sanctions over Maricopa lawsuit”. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
- ^ Duhonik, Joe (October 16, 2023). “Ninth Circuit delivers another blow to Kari Lake’s election fraud claims”. Courthouse News. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ Schutsky, Wayne (March 15, 2024). “Kari Lake asks Supreme Court to take up voting machines case”. kjzz.org. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (April 22, 2024). “Supreme Court declines to hear Kari Lake voting machine lawsuit”. The Hill. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
- ^ Sawicki, Emily (June 24, 2024). “9th Circ. Won’t Reconsider Or Sanction In Kari Lake Vote Suit”. Law360. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ “Complaint in Special Action and Verified Statement of Election Contest Pursuant to A.R.S. § 16–672” (pdf). Arizona Maricopa County Clerk of the Court. December 9, 2022.
- ^ Billeaud, Jacques (December 10, 2022). “Kari Lake challenges her defeat in Arizona governor’s race”. Associated Press. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
The lawsuit filed late Friday by Lake … also alleges hundreds of thousands of ballots were illegally cast, but there’s no evidence that’s true.
- ^ “Kari Lake to claim in court Arizona governor’s race was stolen from her”. CBS News. Associated Press. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Schonfield, Zach (December 19, 2022). “Arizona judge dismisses most of Kari Lake’s lawsuit challenging election results”. The Hill. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (December 19, 2022). “Kari Lake gets trial in election misconduct allegation, other claims tossed”. tucson.com. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ “Lake’s expert witness: Misprinted ballots would ultimately have been counted”. 12News. December 21, 2022. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c Berzon, Alexandra; Homans, Charles (December 24, 2022). “Arizona Judge Rejects Kari Lake’s Effort to Overturn Her Election Loss”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ “‘The Court DOES NOT find clear and convincing evidence of misconduct’: Judge rules against Kari Lake’s bid to overturn Arizona’s election results”. 12News. Associated Press. December 24, 2022. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ a b Clary, Gregory; Cohen, Marshall; Swire, Sonnet; Bradner (December 24, 2022). “Arizona judge rejects Kari Lake’s election challenge and confirms Hobbs’ victory”. CNN. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Mulvaney, Erin; Collins, Eliza (December 24, 2022). “Kari Lake’s Claims of Election Misconduct Rejected by Arizona Judge”. The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Schonfield, Zach (December 27, 2022). “Lake deletes tweet targeting Maricopa judge after officials seek sanctions”. The Hill. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (December 26, 2022). “Nearly $700K in fees sought over Kari Lake election challenge”. tucson.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Lum, Justin (December 26, 2022). “Motions for sanctions filed against Kari Lake in Maricopa County”. KSAZ-TV. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Becker, Stephanie (December 27, 2022). “Arizona judge orders Kari Lake to compensate Katie Hobbs for some fees for election lawsuit, but declines to sanction her”. CNN. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ Schnonfield, Zach (December 27, 2022). “Judge denies Hobbs request to sanction Lake over Arizona election claims”. The Hill. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ Pitzl, Mary (December 28, 2022). “Kari Lake appeals her loss in election lawsuit, judge’s order to pay rival $33K in fees”. The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Fischer, Howard (February 16, 2023). “Appeals court rejects Kari Lake’s latest election challenge”. tucson.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ Richards, Zoë (February 17, 2023). “Appeals court rejects Kari Lake’s challenge of election loss to Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs”. NBC News. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ Coote, Darryl (February 16, 2023). “Arizona appeals court rejects Kari Lake’s election challenge”. United Press International. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Vigdor, Neil (March 23, 2023). “Arizona Supreme Court Turns Down Kari Lake’s Appeal in Her Election Lawsuit”. The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Lah, Kyung (May 23, 2023). “Arizona judge rejects Kari Lake’s final 2022 election lawsuit”. CNN. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ Duhownik, Joe (May 22, 2023). “Kari Lake loses election challenge”. Courthouse News. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ “Judge declines to sanction Kari Lake, attorneys in election challenge case”. 12News. May 26, 2023. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ a b “Kari Lake’s lawyer sanctioned over ‘unequivocally false’ statements”. FOX 10 Phoenix. Associated Press. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ^ Billeaud, Jacques (May 4, 2023). “Kari Lake’s lawyers fined in failed Arizona election lawsuit”. Associated Press. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (April 7, 2023). “Kari Lake’s lawyers seek to keep her from paying legal fees in election fight”. tucson.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (July 26, 2023). “Justices say Kari Lake can’t jump directly to them in appeals process”. tucson.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (July 12, 2024). “Kari Lake again goes to court to challenge 2022 election loss”. tucson.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Duhownik, Joe (November 30, 2023). “Kari Lake handed another loss in long-running election challenge”. Courthouse News Service. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Barchenger, Stacey (November 30, 2023). “Kari Lake’s records request and lawsuit on ballot return envelopes rejected by judge”. Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (March 6, 2024). “Kari Lake drops court case she called key to her election challenge”. tucson.com. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Bustillo, Ximena (October 10, 2023). “Arizona Republican Kari Lake launches 2024 senate campaign”. National Public Radio.
- ^ Mutnick, Ally (November 15, 2023). “Kari Lake ‘drove a stake’ through the heart of McCain Republicans. Now she wants a meeting”. Politico. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (November 18, 2023). “Lake looks for reset button in Arizona Senate race”. The Hill. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Hillyard, Vaughn; Gregorian, Dareh (January 25, 2024). “Arizona GOP chair resigns after Kari Lake bribery allegation, says she threatened him”. NBC News. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Leingang, Rachel (January 24, 2024). “Chair of Arizona Republican party resigns after leak reveals alleged bribe”. The Guardian. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c Wong, Kenneth; Clark, Lauren (January 24, 2024). “Arizona GOP Chairman resigns: Jeff DeWit was at center of audio recording controversy”. FOX 10 Phoenix. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Duda, Jeremy; Boehm, Jessica (January 24, 2024). “Arizona GOP chair resigning after Kari Lake recording surfaces”. Axios. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Julia (February 24, 2024). “CPAC 2024: Kari Lake makes case for bringing back ‘alpha male’ Trump”. Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Tabet, Alex (April 17, 2024). “Kari Lake suggests supporters ‘strap on a Glock’ to be ready for 2024”. NBC News. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (November 9, 2024). “Gallego defeats Lake in Arizona Senate race”. The Hill. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Fischer, Howard (November 20, 2024). “Kari Lake settles with Stephen Richer for defaming him”. tucson.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ Blake, Aaron (November 12, 2024). “The best and worst candidates of 2024”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ “Here’s what Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake says about abortion”. KTAR. May 11, 2022.
- ^ Seely, Taylor; Dominguez, Maritza; Hupka, Sasha; Innes, Stephanie; Kmack, Sam; Tiwari, Ananya (June 24, 2022). “Arizonans, health professionals and politicians react to Roe v. Wade abortion ruling”. The Arizona Republic.
- ^ a b Cameron, Chris (April 10, 2024). “Kari Lake Called Arizona’s Abortion Ban a ‘Great Law,’ but Now She Denounces It”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c Anguiano, Dani (April 12, 2024). “Kari Lake denounces Arizona abortion ban that she once supported”. The Guardian. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Edelman, Adam (December 12, 2023). “GOP Senate candidates soften their abortion stances amid a post-Roe losing streak”. NBC News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Doyle, Stephanie (March 2, 2024). “Kari Lake seeks to moderate her position on abortion, says she opposes a federal ban”. NBC News. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Edelman, Adam; Tabet, Alex (April 9, 2024). “Arizona Supreme Court rules a near-total abortion ban from 1864 is enforceable”. NBC News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Gersony, Laura (April 17, 2024). “Kari Lake downplays 1864 abortion law, says Arizonans can travel ‘3 hours’ for procedure”. Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Weixel, Nathaniel (April 23, 2024). “Kari Lake flips on Arizona abortion ban, says ‘unfortunately’ it’s not being enforced”. The Hill. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Stracqualursi, Veronica (April 23, 2024). “Kari Lake bemoans fact that Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban is not being enforced, in another apparent shift”. CNN. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Lake, Kari (January 5, 2022). “Kari Lake: Arizona Will Do What Washington Won’t – Finish the Wall and Defend Our State”. Independent Journal Review. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ Bikales, James (June 20, 2022). “Arizona GOP candidate who criticized drag was once a fan, drag queen says”. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ “Kari Lake sends ‘cease-and-desist’ letter to drag queen who called her out as hypocrite”. 12news.com. June 26, 2022. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Barchenger, Stacey. “‘She’s thrown away my friendship’: Drag queen calls out Kari Lake for hypocrisy”. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ Roberts, Laurie. “Kari Lake once supported transgender youth. Now she denies they exist”. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ Steck, Andrew Kaczynski,Em (July 14, 2022). “Trump-backed Kari Lake posted support for transgender youth, asked about abortion in the case of birth defects in 2015 and 2016 posts | CNN Politics”. CNN. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ “Kari Lake Slams ‘Bastards’ In NSFW Election Rant At Mar-A-Lago”. HuffPost. December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ McGraw, Meridith (December 16, 2022). “Scenes from a celebration of the same-sex marriage law – at Mar-a-Lago”. Politico. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
- ^ Tammye (September 12, 2024). “Log Cabin announces 4th round of 2024 endorsements”. Dallas Voice. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ “2024 Endorsed Candidates”. Log Cabin Republicans. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ “Republican Kari Lake says Aussies have no freedoms due to giving up their guns, before storming out of interview”. Agence France-Presse. March 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022 – via news.com.au.
- ^ Gersony, Laura; Barchenger, Stacey (October 9, 2023). “Who is Kari Lake? What you need to know as she announces a bid for the Senate in Arizona”. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Lorenzen, Ron (August 8, 1994). “KWQC alters afternoon lineup for news”. Quad-City Times. p. 2T. Retrieved January 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Cramer, Ruby (October 16, 2022). “On Kari Lake’s campaign for Arizona governor, the mic is always hot”. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ a b Hillyard, Vaughn (July 21, 2022). “How an Obama-backing Arizona news anchor became Trump’s pick for governor”. NBC News. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
Most of her friends who spoke independently recalled that she often noted prior to 2015 that she was a Buddhist. None recalled her mentioning the Christian faith that she ascribes to now.
External links
