“He That Is Most Liketh Trump Shall Win”: New Sheriff in Arizona’s Senate Race

There’s a new sheriff in town in Arizona. After years of the state being associated with ex-lawman Joe Arpaio, it is now Mark Lamb who is making headlines, earning a New York Times profile just 24 hours before the primary election. Lamb is challenging Donald Trump’s ally Kari Lake for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kyrsten Sinema. “I’m a dadgum patriot,” the QAnon-theorizing sheriff told the paper.

Despite Lamb’s potential pathway to victory over Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Lake has the vote locked among the true believers. As the Arizona GOP primary approaches, Lamb is closing the polling gap with the failed Republican gubernatorial candidate. However, the Times noted that Lake remains the likely winner as most voters are unfamiliar with Lamb.

“Despite burnishing his brand as a cowboy hat-wearing, Americana-loving, immigration hard-liner, a résumé that might normally appeal to the Republican faithful in a border state, it is Ms. Lake who is near-ubiquitous, thanks to her success in modeling herself in the president’s image,” the report stated.

While Lamb believes he may be the ideal GOP candidate, Lake’s long-standing relationship with Trump could secure her the nomination. Arizona GOP political consultant Chuck Coughlin explained, “This has been the pattern of Republican primary politics in Arizona: He that is most liketh Trump shall win. Since 2016, when Trump won unaffiliated voters, no MAGA candidate has repeated that.”

The report highlighted Lamb’s MAGA credentials, citing his membership in the Constitutional sheriff movement, which believes sheriffs can choose which laws to enforce. While Republicans show curiosity about Lamb, the Times interviewed 72-year-old Tom Standish of Mesa, who expressed a preference for Lake. “I just think she’s going to win the primary and has the best chance in the general,” Standish told the Times.

However, Lake’s high-profile approach has spurred last-minute donations for Lamb’s campaign. Conservative non-profit American Encore aired an ad claiming, “Donald Trump needs a workhorse in the Senate, not a show horse.” Lake’s prolonged challenge of the 2020 election results “made her a polarizing figure during her 2022 run for governor,” alienating independent voters who are crucial in Arizona.

The Washington Post revealed an email from top GOP donor Randy Kendrick, whose husband owns the Arizona Diamondbacks, casting doubt on Lake’s chances in the general election. “It appears that Kari Lake cannot win the general election for Senate,” Kendrick confessed, urging friends to consider Lamb, who doesn’t carry the same baggage. Despite the late surge in support, the Times concluded, “Either way, it may be too late for him to significantly shake up the race.”