Grand Canyon Times

US Senate candidate Kari Lake hosted a "Back the Blue Rally," bringing together entertainers, law enforcement personnel, and politicians. Law enforcement personnel from across the state attended the event, according to a press release dated September 14.

The event featured an invocation and candlelight ceremony to honor fallen law enforcement personnel, led by Mark Spencer, former Border Patrol Chaplain and former Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President. Various speeches followed from representatives of law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations supporting law enforcement personnel and their families.

"Here in Arizona, the Fraternal Order of Police represents 9,400 members. Those members all cast their votes and got them sent back to me, and I tallied them up, and it was with great pride that I PROUDLY endorse Mrs. Kari Lake to be our next United States Senator," said Paul Shelton, president of the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

Speakers addressed a survey sent to police officers across the state, discussed the potential success of former President Trump and former Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan, and contrasted Lake with her opponent, US Representative Ruben Gallego.

"We’ve got a candidate who understands who’s supported law enforcement. As long as I’ve known Kari Lake, she has supported law enforcement in this state and throughout the communities. We have another Senate candidate, Ruben Gallego, who’s been the opposite. He’s actually promoted Defunding the Police," said Mark Lamb, sheriff of Pinal County.

Following the rally, Lake posted on Instagram: "It was so great to spend time with so many brave men & women at our #BackTheBlue Rally on Friday night! Our law enforcement officers always have our backs. They deserve a U.S. Senator who will have theirs. In the U.S. Senate, I will ALWAYS back the blue and provide our law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to keep our communities safe."

According to her biography on her campaign website, Lake spent 27 years as a news reporter in Arizona before transitioning into politics. In 2022, she was nominated as the Republican candidate for governor and received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.