Arizona Senate candidates accuse each other of using migrants as a political weapon

The candidates to occupy the Senate seat for Arizona, Democratic Congressman Rubén Gallego and Republican candidate Karie Lake, faced each other in a debate where both accused each other of using immigrants and young dreamers as a political weapon.

“She lies, she needs there to be an immigration problem for her campaign,” said Gallego during the debate that took place on the first day of early voting in the only “pendulum” state of these elections that has a border with Mexico.

Change in immigration laws, considers Gallego

The Democrat said that he has supported the construction of the border wall, but assures that this is not enough, since, in his opinion, a combination of the use of technology and a change in immigration laws is needed.

For his part, Lake harshly criticized his opponent for voting in favor of President Joe Biden’s policies, which he claims have allowed millions of migrants to cross the border irregularly.

“Every state in the country is a border state,” Lake said.

“Because of this, every state in the country is now a border state, the schools are not full, the hospitals are saturated, there are no jobs (for migrants),” Lake rebuked.

The Republican assured that she supports the construction of the border wall and the deportation of all migrants who have arrived in the last three and a half years.

In that sense, Gallego admitted that he would also support a “fair” deportation system but emphasized that it would never include young dreamers, as those protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are known.

Both accused their political parties of “using” migrants and dreamers as “political weapons.”

Gallego aspires to be the first Latino senator in Arizona

Gallego, a United States Army veteran, son of immigrants and reelected five times to the US House of Representatives, aspires to become the first Latino senator from Arizona, a bastion that Republicans have been losing.

Lake is a faithful follower of former President Donald Trump and one of the main promoters of the conspiracy theory of alleged electoral fraud during the 2020 presidential elections.

Lake lost the 2022 gubernatorial election

The Republican lost a close race in 2022 against Democrat Katie Hobbs for the Governor of Arizona.

Gallego called Lake a “liar” who “still believes” she is the legitimate governor of Arizona.

For his part, Lake harshly attacked his rival, questioning his morals and having “a family member” who trafficked drugs.

Both candidates also expressed their positions on the economy and abortion.

Gallego has an advantage over Lake in polls

The race between Gallego and Lake is gaining national attention because it could define which party will have the majority in the US Senate.

According to the most recent survey released this week by AARP, Gallego maintains a lead of 51% compared to Lake’s 44%.

The survey, which has a 3% margin of error, indicates that Gallego is more favored by voters between 18 and 34 years of age, as well as by independent and Latino voters.

While Lake has in his favor the vote of conservatives between 50 and 64 years of age.

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