Arizona Police Association endorses Gallego over Lake in Senate race

The Arizona Police Association has endorsed Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego over Republican nominee Kari Lake in the state's critical Senate race.

“As a Marine combat veteran, we know Congressman Gallego understands the complexities of modern policing in American society today, while at the same time recognizing the public’s expectations,” Arizona Police Association President Justin Harris wrote Monday on the social platform X.

“The APA does not take our endorsements lightly; we recognize the importance of having a U.S. senator that can bring people together to improve society for all,” he added.

The same group has endorsed former President Donald Trump for a second term. Harris spoke at Trump's recent campaign rally in Glendale. 

"The Arizona Police Association and their 12,000 members, family and friends are proud to extend our endorsement to Donald J. Trump for President of the United States of America," he said on stage.

Crime and border security have emerged as top issues in the race between Gallego and Lake.

They are competing for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Gallego leads Lake by more than 6 percentage points, according to the most recent RealClearPolitics.com poll average.

Gallego said during a discussion in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention last week that he doesn't think the Biden administration has done a good job on border security over the last 4 years.