Trump, Cheney Endorsements Provide Opportunity, Risks in Arizona Race for Governor

The big political guns have come out blazing in the final days of Arizona’s heated governor race in the Nov. 8 general election.

On Oct. 9, America’s 45th President, Donald Trump, will hold a rally in Mesa to support his candidate of choice for governor, Kari Lake, who is running in a virtual dead heat in the polls with her Democratic opponent, Katie Hobbs.

Hobbs, Arizona’s secretary of state, refuses to debate Lake and recently told local media she welcomes the support of Wyoming Republican Liz Cheney in her bid to become the next governor of Arizona.

In an interview with the Texas Tribune, Cheney said she would do “everything I can to ensure that Kari Lake is not elected”—up to and including supporting Democrats.

Former President Donald Trump and Kari Lake, whom Trump is supporting in the Arizona gubernatorial race, share the stage during a rally at the Canyon Moon Ranch festival grounds in Florence, Arizona, on Jan. 15, 2022. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

She urged all “sane Republicans” to support Hobbs, who responded in local media, “I welcome Liz Cheney’s support” in Arizona.

Will It Make a Difference?

In terms of electoral clout, Trump and Cheney seem completely different political animals.

Trump consistently draws crowds in the thousands with a loyal following of America First and MAGA Republicans. Sunday’s rally at the Legacy Sports Park in Mesa represents Trump’s latest and perhaps final push for Lake’s candidacy in the Grand Canyon State.

His other Arizona Republican endorsements are U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters, Arizona Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem, and Arizona Attorney General candidate Abe Hamadeh.

Of Trump’s 236 endorsed candidates nationwide, 217 (about 92 percent) won their respective primary against a Democratic opponent.

Cheney, the daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, lost her primary

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