Arizona GOP Nominee Kari Lake’s Out-of-State Travel Sparks Criticism, but Doesn’t Deter Trump or Her Supporters

Kari Lake, the likely GOP nominee for governor in Arizona, has been a subject of criticism for her frequent out-of-state travel during the 2022 election cycle. She has even drawn attention from former President Donald Trump, who reportedly expressed annoyance at her trips to his resort, Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Despite the criticism, spokespeople for both Trump and Lake have defended her actions. A Trump spokesman praised Lake as a “Smart and Fearless Leader” who is expected to win in Arizona. Meanwhile, a senior advisor to Lake insists that she is running a strong campaign, despite her travel schedule.

Trump sees Lake as a key player in the high-stakes Senate race against Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in the fall and has urged her to focus more on campaigning in Arizona. While this particular Senate race may not be the most important this cycle, it carries significant weight for Republicans aiming to regain control of the chamber.

The Arizona Democratic Party has capitalized on Lake’s frequent travels by sending out newsletters titled “Where In The World Is Kari Lake?” highlighting her whereabouts. During a recent appearance in Idaho, Lake appeared to backtrack on her stance against Arizona’s abortion law, indicating that it was not being enforced as she had hoped.

Lake’s repeated out-of-state trips have raised concerns among her critics about her commitment to the race and her ability to effectively lead as governor if elected. However, supporters argue that she is using these trips to network with other conservative leaders and gain support from key donors outside of Arizona.