KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

High campaign spending keeps Karrin Taylor Robson competitive with more popular Kari Lake

Karrin Taylor Robson
Karrin Taylor Robson

Karrin Taylor Robson has spent $18 million in her bid to be the Republican party’s pick for governor. In contrast, former TV news anchor Kari Lake has spent just $3.8 million. The latest poll from OH Predictive Insights has Lake with an 18-point lead. Political Consultant Chuck Coughlin says the funds are crucial to Robson's standing in the race. 

“It’s remarkable that she’s spent $15 million, she’s just drawn even with her,” Coughlin said. “That goes to speak to Kari’s indigenous name ID as a result of being in people’s living rooms for 20 years. Without that money, this would not be a race.” 

However, political consultant Constantin Querard argues Robson’s high spending may have hurt her campaign.  

“In an odd sort of way, if you’re really spending a lot of money, it can almost work against you because it may feed distrust in the mind of the voter that you’re trying to buy it or that they can’t trust you,” Querard said.

Political action committees have spent more than $2.5 million on Robson’s campaign, as opposed to $1.3 million spent on Lake’s behalf.

 

 

Nick Sanchez is a senior producer for KJZZ's The Show. He joined the station as an intern during the spring of 2022, where he developed a passion for audio storytelling in the Valley.