PHOENIX — Wednesday night, Kari Lake and Ruben Gallego went head to head in the Senate debate with one topic that regularly made its way into the talking points: the border.
Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake meet Wednesday for the only debate of the Arizona Senate race, a matchup that comes as voters begin casting ballots in a contest that will help determine control of the U.S. Senate.
Lake, a well-known former television news anchor, has tried but struggled to redefine herself since losing the 2022 race for governor.
Gallego, a Democratic congressman representing largely Latino areas of Phoenix, has used his financial advantage over Lake to run ads playing up his military service and up-by-the-bootstraps personal story rather than his progressive record in Congress.
12News fact-checked claims from both candidates during the debate:
CLAIM
Gallego said he has "voted for hundreds of miles of border wall in the past."
THE FACTS: This is true, but needs context.
Gallego voted yes for HR31 which implemented $1.4 million for the construction of fencing at the Rio Grande border.
Still, he has been outspoken against the wall on a number of occasions. According to a 2023 press release from Gallego's office, Gallego voted against HR2, which he said would have "cost taxpayers $6.1 billion, including through construction of 900 miles of ineffective and impractical border wall."
CLAIM
Lake said Gallego has "voted against border security every step of the way."
THE FACTS: False. Gallego has voted in favor of several border security bills including the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, the Homeland Security Improvement Act, and the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act.
CLAIM
Lake claimed energy prices have gone up 30% in the last few years.
THE FACTS: This is true. According to multiple sources, the cost of energy has increased. One estimate from CBS News shows a 28.5% increase since 2019.
CLAIM
Lake said Joe Biden's "open-border policies" have let 20 million migrants into the country illegally.
THE FACTS: False. From 2021-2024, during Joe Biden's presidency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows just over 9 million migrants were encountered at the southwest border, less than half of what Lake claims.
CLAIM
Gallego claims Lake is suing to be declared as governor.
THE FACTS: True. Kari Lake filed several lawsuits trying to overturn the results of the 2022 governor election, which have all failed. Most recently, the Arizona Supreme Court denied hearing an appeal from Lake.
Decision 2024
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The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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