The Arizona Democratic Party donated $10,000 to Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego’s (D) Senate campaign in the last quarter, as he prepares for a potential three-way race for Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s seat in the swing state.
Campaign filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show the Arizona Democratic Party gave Gallego two payments of $5,000 each Sept. 30, indicating a large boost of support from the state organization.
Also in the race for Sinema’s seat is former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who announced her Republican bid for the seat earlier this month. She will face off against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the GOP primary.
Sinema, who left the Democratic Party last year, has not yet announced a reelection bid, though recent moves from her team have indicated she could be gearing up for reelection. Reports surfaced last month that Sinema’s political team circulated a memo outlining the voting blocs among Democrats, Republicans and independents that she could garner in a path to reelection.
Despite her incumbency, recent polling indicates Sinema’s path to reelection may come with challenges.
A poll from Democratic-leaning firm Public Policy Polling earlier this month showed Gallego leading both Lake and Sinema in a hypothetical three-way race. The poll found Gallego garnered 41 percent support, Lake received 36 percent and Sinema received 15 percent, while 8 percent of respondents said they were not sure who they would vote for.
The Arizona Senate race is shaping up to be one of uncertainty for both parties seeking to clinch the Senate majority, as Arizona remains one of a few swing states that will help determine control of the upper chamber in 2024.