If you’ve spent any time on social media or watching the news lately, you've probably seen the name Kari Lake pop up more than a few times. People are still asking: did Kari Lake win Arizona? It’s a simple question with a very clear legal answer, but the story behind it is a wild ride of courtroom dramas, shifting political strategies, and a lot of tension in the Grand Canyon State.
Honestly, the short answer is no. Kari Lake did not win the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race, nor did she win the 2024 U.S. Senate race.
But that’s just the surface. To really get what’s going on, you have to look at the two very different campaigns she ran and why she’s still such a massive figure in American politics despite the losses.
The 2022 Governor Race: A Narrow Defeat
Back in 2022, Lake was the Republican nominee for governor. She was everywhere. A former TV news anchor with decades of experience, she knew exactly how to handle a camera. She went up against Katie Hobbs, who was then the Secretary of State.
It was close. Really close.
📖 Related: Typhoon Tip and the Largest Hurricane on Record: Why Size Actually Matters
When the dust finally settled, Hobbs had 1,287,891 votes. Lake had 1,270,774. That’s a gap of about 17,117 votes, or roughly 0.67%. In the world of politics, that’s a "nail-biter" territory. Lake didn't concede. She basically argued that the election was "irredeemably flawed," pointing to printer issues in Maricopa County that caused some ballots not to be read by tabulators on Election Day.
The Legal Battles for the Governor's Mansion
She took it to court. Then she took it to court again. Over the next two years, Lake filed a series of lawsuits to overturn the results. She wanted the courts to either declare her the winner or order a whole new election.
It didn't work.
By November 2024, the Arizona Supreme Court officially rejected her seventh and final attempt to overturn those 2022 results. Judges at every level—trial courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court—found that while there were definitely technical glitches on Election Day, there wasn't evidence of intentional misconduct or fraud that would have changed the outcome.
👉 See also: Melissa Calhoun Satellite High Teacher Dismissal: What Really Happened
Round Two: The 2024 U.S. Senate Campaign
After the 2022 saga, Lake didn't go away. She jumped into the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kyrsten Sinema. This time, her opponent was Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego.
The vibe was different. Lake tried to pivot a bit, sort of moving toward the center on certain issues like abortion to appeal to moderate "McCain Republicans" she had previously told to "get the hell out."
But the 2024 results mirrored 2022 in the "L" column. Gallego won his first term, defeating Lake by roughly 2.4 percentage points. Interestingly, Lake actually underperformed Donald Trump in Arizona during that same election. While Trump won the state comfortably, Lake couldn't capture that same magic.
- Ruben Gallego: ~50.1%
- Kari Lake: ~47.7%
Why the Confusion Persists
So, why do people still ask if she won?
✨ Don't miss: Wisconsin Judicial Elections 2025: Why This Race Broke Every Record
Well, Lake herself has often used language that suggests she’s the "lawful governor." In her 2023 book, she basically claimed the title despite the certification of the results. When you have a high-profile figure insisting they won, it creates a "split reality" for a lot of voters.
Plus, Arizona takes a long time to count ballots. Because the state relies so heavily on mail-in voting and "late earlies" (mail ballots dropped off on Election Day), it can take a week or more to get a final call. That delay naturally breeds a lot of "what's going on?" energy on the internet.
What This Means for Arizona Voters
The political landscape in Arizona has shifted. It used to be a "deep red" stronghold, but the last few cycles have proven it’s a true purple battleground.
If you're looking for the bottom line, it’s this: Katie Hobbs is the Governor of Arizona, and Ruben Gallego is the U.S. Senator. The courts have closed the book on the 2022 challenges, and the 2024 results are official.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
- Check Official Sources: If you're ever unsure about a race, the Arizona Secretary of State website is the only place for certified, final numbers.
- Understand the Process: Arizona's "late early" ballot system means the "red mirage" or "blue shift" is a normal part of their counting process, not a sign of foul play.
- Track Legal Filings: Most of the 2022 litigation is officially dead, but keeping an eye on the Arizona Supreme Court's public dockets is the best way to see if any new "long shot" filings actually have legs.