Three ultra-MAGA candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump and largely opposed by establishment Republicans are poised to sweep Tuesday’s marquee GOP primary contests in Arizona,setting up general-election showdowns with more traditional Democratic rivals that will test whether the way to win a key swing state in 2022 is by channeling the animosities of the far right — or by trying to appeal to a broader coalition.
Shortly after midnight, the Associated Press called the GOP Senate primary for Blake Masters, an “anti-progressive” venture capitalist who was propelled to the front of a crowded field by at least $15 million in super-PAC funding from powerful Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, his longtime boss and mentor. On Election Day, Masters will face off against incumbent Democrat Mark Kelly in a race that will help determine control of the closely divided Senate.
The AP also called the GOP secretary of state primary for Mark Finchem, a state representative who was present at the U.S. Capitol during the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, and has previously identified himself as a member of the Oath Keepers militia.
In the Republican primary for governor, a third MAGA candidate, former Phoenix news anchor Kari Lake, was leading real estate developer Karrin Taylor Robson by more than 11,000 votes with 80% of precincts reporting.
“We won today 7 out of 10 Election Day votes,” Lake told her supporters Tuesday night, claiming — prematurely — that “there is no path to victory for my opponent and we won this race. Period.”
For all three election deniers, these displays of fealty were sufficient to snag Trump’s sought-after support, which he bestowed in person at a July 22 rally in Prescott Valley.
But the establishment lost Tuesday night in Arizona — and Trump seems headed for a hat trick. If Lake ultimately joins Finchem and Masters on the winner’s podium, they would cement a Trump sweep in the Grand Canyon State — and combine to form perhaps the most pro-MAGA slate of candidates anywhere in America.
Former President Donald Trump crowed on Wednesday that he is “22-0” after all of his endorsed candidates swept their primary elections in Ohio and Indiana.
”I think J.D. showed tremendous strength,” Trump told the outlet. “It was a great victory for everyone, but I am most happy for the Republican Party because we have great candidates. I think all of them will be winning in the fall.”
"Where Revolution is the Solution" Taking back the Empire
