Locals react to Senator-Elect Ruben Gallego’s win
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Democrat Ruben Gallego was announced as the winner of the U.S. Senate race for Arizona Monday night, defeating Republican Kari Lake.
Gallego, who is a five-term House member and Iraq War Veteran, will be the state's first Latino U.S. Senator and will be replacing Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).
Following his win, Gallego thanked his supporters later that night and released a video on hix X account on Tuesday saying, "To my campaign team, to all the volunteers, and our sponsors; to the unions and community groups who stood and fought alongside us: Thank you!"
Danyelle Burke North spoke with locals and officials who shared mixed reactions about the win, with some in favor and others in opposition.
"I'm very excited. I'm hopeful," said Nieves Riedel, the Mayor of San Luis, Arizona, who supports Gallego and says she thinks he'll advocate for our rural communities well. "I think he's a man of integrity. I think that he's very much interested in finding solutions for the border. He understands the border issues."
However, Arizona State Representative Tim Dunn (R) supported Gallego's opponent, Kari Lake, adding that he was looking forward to working with Lake, but said that Arizonans will work well with whoever is elected into office.
"It would be nice to have a Republican senator there, but I think when we have the Senate controlled by the Republicans with the Republican-controlled presidency, Arizonans will continue to work with whoever's in the Senate to make sure that we focus on what's good for Arizonans," Dunn shared.
A few people across Yuma shared their thoughts, including locals who say they were in favor of the results.
"I was kind of excited he won. Actually, I'm glad," said Rick Hadju, a local.
"I've never had any feeling for Kari Lake being worthy of any elected office. So Ruben's okay. He's been doing a good job in the House, and him going to the Senate was a good step for him, and certainly better than sending Kari Lake for six years," said Jay Reeder, another local.
The GOP will now have 53 seats in the 100-member Senate.
