Arizonans Elect Ruben Gallego, Rejecting Big Oil-backed Kari Lake

Washington, D.C. – Ruben Gallego was elected U.S. Senator from Arizona, defeating Big Oil-backed Kari Lake. Senator-elect Gallego is a climate and water champion—and the first Latino senator elected in Arizona—who campaigned on continuing the progress of the clean energy plan. Climate Power executive director Lori Lodes issued the following statement: 

“After living through 113 consecutive days of 100-degree heat this year, Arizonans have firsthand experience with the climate crisis and saw straight through Kari Lake’s Big Oil lies. Arizona voters elected climate and water champion Ruben Gallego as their next U.S. Senator. There is no doubt that Senator-elect Gallego will stay focused on building a clean energy economy that lowers costs and reduces the pollution that is fueling the existential crisis facing Arizona families.” 

Climate played a critical role in making the contrast between Sen. elect Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake clear: 

• Ruben Gallego campaigned on the clean energy plan, which has already spurred over $11 billion in investment and helped create 18,130 new clean energy jobs in Arizona.
• Ruben Gallego campaigned on his record of being a champion for clean water. While he supported legislation to keep water in Lake Mead and other Colorado River reservoirs and to provide support for communities experiencing long-term drought, Kari Lake criticized the same legislation and believes a new water delivery system for Western states should be exempted from environmental reviews and legal challenges.