Former Arizona Gov. Ducey endorses Lake, Trump despite past mudslinging

Despite mutual criticism spanning years, former Republican Governor Doug Ducey endorsed Donald Trump for president and Kari Lake for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

There has been plenty of friction between Ducey and the so-called “MAGA” Republicans. In a 2022 interview with CNN, Ducey accused Lake of “misleading voters” and “putting on an act” while running for governor.

Lake has called Ducey a “swamp rat,” a “doormat to the Cartels,” an “establishment hack” and more.

Trump accused Ducey of betraying Arizona in 2020 when he certified the state's election results.

“Differences aside, there is too much on the line,” Ducey said in a statement.

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Republicans had a similar unification after the primary election in 2022, when Lake beat fellow Republican Karrin Taylor Robson, who has also endorsed Lake since she won her GOP Senate primary.

Before the 2022 general election, Ducey got behind Lake as she faced off against current Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Lake celebrated Tuesday’s endorsement and complimented Ducey.

“For eight years, Governor @DougDucey transformed our economy and our education system. He made Arizona a destination again. But radical Democrats like Ruben Gallego want to take that away. Doug Ducey supports me because he knows it's never been more important to unite all Arizonans and win big in November,” Lake said in a statement.