Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Picks Favorite in GOP Primary, Setting Up Showdown with Trump Endorsee
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Republican Arizona governor Doug Ducey expressed his preference that Karrin Taylor Robson, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents, succeed him on Thursday, setting up a showdown with Donald Trump’s endorsee, Kari Lake.
“Karrin is the real deal: pro-life, pro-gun, and pro-wall – and she’ll stand up to Joe Biden and the radical left,” said Ducey, who is prohibited from serving a third term by Arizona law, in a statement posted alongside a video promoted by Robson.
“I’ve looked at each of the candidates for Governor this year, and there’s no question who is the proven conservative ready to lead on Day One: Karrin Taylor Robson. I’m proud to offer Karrin my complete endorsement,” he added.
Taylor Robson responded to the endorsement on Twitter, professing to be “humbled” to receive Ducey’s endorsement. “I’m honored he trusts me to move the state forward in a bold, conservative direction. As Governor, I will secure the border, fight back against Washington and never stop fighting for Arizonans & their families,” said Robson.
I’ve looked at each of the candidates for Governor this year, and there’s no question who is the proven conservative ready to lead on Day One: Karrin Taylor Robson. I’m proud to offer Karrin my complete endorsement. https://t.co/ALJDCMI26a
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) July 7, 2022
The endorsement comes as early voting begins this week in Arizona ahead of the August 2 primary, and marks yet another disagreement in the years-long battle between Ducey and Trump.
Ducey previously claimed he silenced a phone call from Trump while declaring that Joe Biden narrowly won in his state during the 2020 presidential election, becoming the first Democrat to do so since 1996.
Trump has since publicly criticized Ducey and endorsed Lake, who has made the 2020 presidential election the centerpiece of her campaign.
“She will do a far better job than RINO Governor Doug Ducey — won’t even be a contest!” Trump said. Lake directly calls out Taylor Robson on her website, also calling her a RINO.
Both Taylor Robson and Lake are campaigning on securing the southern border, as well as reforming education policies, and standing by law enforcement. Lake has also promised to work on election integrity and ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
