Gallego launches 'Republicans and Independents for Ruben' coalition

Democratic Senate candidate and Rep. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) is attempting to shore up Republican and independent voters through a new coalition in the swing state.

Gallego's campaign on Sunday announced the launch of "Republicans and Independents for Ruben," a coalition of 40 Republican and Independent leaders backing the Democrat for the Senate.

"I am running for the U.S. Senate to represent all Arizonans, regardless of where they live or what political party they align themselves with. We may not agree on everything, but we can find common ground on one essential goal: building a better Arizona," Gallego wrote in a statement Sunday.

The list of endorsements includes current and former elected Republican officials, business owners, and community leaders, including several former aides to the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake came under fire earlier this year for previous insults against McCain, who survived years as a prisoner of war.

McCain's former state director, Paul Hickman, compared Ruben to his late boss in the endorsement released Sunday.

"Like my former boss, Ruben has spent decades serving his country and state," Hickman said. "And in the Senate, I trust that Ruben will work with those of different backgrounds to make compromises, not spectacles, and continue to always put Arizona first."

The announcement comes days after Gallego won the Democratic primary in the Arizona Senate race after running uncontested to replace retiring Sen. Krysten Sinema (I).

Lake also won her primary last Tuesday after facing a challenger in Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. She ran for governor in 2022 and narrowly lost to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), though she has repeatedly refuted the election loss.

While Lake clinched the GOP nomination, Lamb still received a notable chunk of the party's primary voters, prompting questions over whether the sheriff's supporters will ultimately choose her in November.

Lake has sought to shore up support from skeptics and moderate Republicans she pushed away the last cycle, though this has been with limited success. Some previously skeptical of her appear to still be unconvinced about her run.

Gallego, meanwhile, has attempted to eschew his progressive bona fides, including having his membership expire with the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

While more registered voters in Arizona are Republicans, several Democrats like Hobbs, and President Biden, have seen growing support and clinched narrow victories in the state.

An aggregate of Arizona Senate polls from Decision Desk HQ and The Hill shows Gallego leading Lake 47 percent to 43 percent. 

Caroline Vakil contributed reporting.