Kari Lake

Kari Lake
Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Kari Lake
Birth name	Kari Anne Lake
Birth date	23 August 1969
Birth place	Urbandale, Iowa, U.S.
Education	University of Iowa (BA)
Occupation	Politician, former journalist
Party	Republican (2021–present)
Otherparty	Democratic (before 2021)
Spouse	Mike Lake, 1998

Kari Lake. She is an American politician and former television news anchor who has become a prominent figure in Arizona politics. After a long career in Phoenix broadcast journalism, she entered the Republican political arena, aligning closely with the movement associated with former President Donald Trump. Lake was the Republican nominee in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election and has since remained a significant voice in conservative politics, frequently discussing issues of election integrity and border security.

Early life and education

Kari Anne Lake was born in Urbandale, Iowa, and spent her formative years in the Midwestern United States. She attended the University of Iowa, where she studied journalism and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her time at the university, she was involved with the campus television station, KRUI, which helped launch her interest in broadcast media. Her early professional experiences included work at several local news stations in Iowa and Illinois, building the foundation for her subsequent career in the competitive Phoenix media market.

Career in journalism

Lake's journalism career spanned over two decades, primarily at Fox 10 Phoenix (KSAZ-TV), where she served as a primary evening news anchor. She joined the station in the late 1990s and became one of the most recognizable media personalities in Arizona, co-anchoring the highly-rated Fox 10 News at 5, 9 and 10 broadcasts. During her tenure, she covered major stories including the 2008 financial crisis, the 2011 Tucson shooting, and numerous state legislative sessions. She received several awards, including multiple Emmy Awards and honors from the Associated Press. Lake resigned from Fox 10 Phoenix in March 2021, citing a loss of trust in mainstream media and a desire to advocate for different viewpoints.

Political career

Shortly after leaving journalism, Lake announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for Governor of Arizona in the 2022 election. She quickly gained the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and aligned her campaign with his political style, focusing heavily on claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. She won a competitive primary against candidates like Karrin Taylor Robson, who was backed by then-Governor Doug Ducey and former Vice President Mike Pence. In the general election, she was defeated by the Democratic nominee, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, in a closely contested race. Following her loss, Lake pursued extensive legal challenges contesting the election results, which were largely dismissed by courts including the Arizona Supreme Court.

Political positions

Lake's political platform is firmly within the America First wing of the Republican Party. She is a staunch advocate for stringent border security measures, often supporting the policies of former President Donald Trump and criticizing the administration of President Joe Biden. A central theme of her campaigns has been questioning the integrity of U.S. elections, promoting audits like the controversial Maricopa County forensic audit conducted by Cyber Ninjas. On economic issues, she supports lower taxes, reduced regulation, and school choice initiatives, including expanding empowerment scholarship accounts. She has also been vocal on cultural issues, opposing mandates related to COVID-19 vaccines and critical race theory in schools.

Electoral history

In the 2022 Republican primary for Governor of Arizona, Lake defeated Karrin Taylor Robson, Matt Salmon, and Scott Neely, securing the nomination with 47.7% of the vote. The general election against Katie Hobbs was one of the most watched races of the 2022 midterms, with Hobbs winning by approximately 17,000 votes. Lake did not concede the race, filing lawsuits that alleged misconduct in Maricopa County, though judges including Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson rejected her claims. She has since been mentioned as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate from Arizona.

Personal life

Lake is married to Mike Lake, a former U.S. Air Force officer and contractor. The couple has two children and resides in Phoenix. She has been open about her previous registration with the Democratic Party, which she has attributed to a lack of political engagement during her journalism career. Her conversion to the Republican Party and active conservatism has been a noted part of her public narrative. In her personal time, she is involved with various local charities and has spoken about her Christian faith as an influence on her life and values.

Category:American television anchors Category:American politicians Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:People from Urbandale, Iowa Category:University of Iowa alumni Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians from Arizona