Trump-backed Kari Lake inches ahead in Arizona governor's race

Hobbs has refused to debate Lake ahead of the November contest. 
Former Fox News Anchor Kari Lake speaks during the Rally To Protect Our Elections conference on July 24, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake has narrowly pulled ahead of her Democratic rival, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, in the race for the governor's mansion.

A recent poll from local outlet Fox 10 and Insider Advantage found Lake commanded a 3.7% lead, with 49.3% support to Hobbs's 45.6%. The poll surveyed 550 registered voters and has a margin of error of 4.2%, meaning the race is technically still a statistical tie.

Lake further commanded an 11-point lead over Hobbs in the 18-39 age bracket and held a 4% edge with independent voters.

Hobbs has refused to debate Lake ahead of the November contest. 

Trump's endorsement of Lake helped to her surge to victory in the state's Republican primary. She has been a vocal proponent of election integrity efforts and has levied a bevy of criticisms against Hobbs's handling of the election process, in her capacity as secretary of state, during the 2020 process.

In the state's Senate race, incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly held a four-point lead over his Trump-backed opponent, Blake Masters.