Ruben Gallego will be Arizona's first Latino senator after beating Kari Lake, his Republican opponent, in a race marked by a prolonged vote count. The victory represents a continuation of Democratic dominance in the state, which now has four consecutive victories for the Senate. Gallego will take over from Kyrsten Sinema, who has decided not to seek re-election after one term as an independent senator. This victory reinforces the political change in Arizona, which was historically a Republican stronghold, but which, in the Donald Trump era, began to alternate between the two parties. Trump won Arizona in 2016 and again this year, achieving his largest margin in swing states. However, in 2020, Joe Biden won a narrow victory in the state, marking the Democratic resurgence in the region.

According to NBC News, Gallego celebrated his election as a dream come true, emphasizing his humble origins and the impact of the opportunities offered by the United States. The son of Colombian and Mexican immigrants, Gallego highlighted his mother's vision, who wanted him and his siblings to attend university. Throughout his campaign, he set aside the progressive stance that marked the beginning of his career, when he aligned himself with figures such as Bernie Sanders and was part of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, to adopt a more moderate approach. That shift was essential to winning over voters in a state where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats. Gallego even received the support of an influential police union in Arizona, reinforcing his strategy of appealing to the broader electorate.

On the other hand, Kari Lake, known for her alignment with the MAGA movement and for calling herself "Trump in heels", has not been able to soften her polarizing image. After losing the race for governor in 2022, she struggled to attract moderate Republicans and independents. Lake tried to associate Gallego with President Biden and criticize him on issues such as border security, a central issue in her campaign. In addition, she resorted to personal attacks, exploiting Gallego's divorce and criticizing his progressive past. Despite this, she lagged behind Trump in performance in the state and failed to overcome her limited electoral base.

Gallego's campaign stood out for its superiority in fundraising, which allowed the construction of a robust and consistent operation throughout the race. He used his cultural identity and experience as a Navy veteran to form coalitions such as "Veterans for Gallego" and "Juntos Con Gallego." However, it has kept the focus on practical issues such as border security, immigration reform and mental health for veterans. At the same time, he addressed priority issues for Democrats, such as reproductive rights, but with a strategy that faced frequent criticism of the party head-on.

After confirming his victory, Gallego stressed the importance of engaging with voters of all political backgrounds, stating that his goal was to build trust and treat everyone as Americans worthy of attention. He acknowledged the numerical difference between Republicans and Democrats registered in the state and pointed out that his respectful and open approach was key to winning voters outside his traditional base. This victory, in addition to being historic, as it is the first by a Latino senator from Arizona, signals an important change in the state's political landscape, which is becoming increasingly competitive.