Kari Lake could be conservative famous person if she dumps Trump, strategist says

Kari Lake, the perpetually soft-lit, camera-ready political newcomer from Arizona, could have misplaced her bid to turn out to be the state's subsequent governor, but it surely's unlikely she'll go away the highlight.

A Phoenix-area information anchor for 22 years, Lake referred to as it quits in 2021 and determined to go all in on politics. She fended off better-funded, extra certified GOP challengers within the primaries and ran a floor recreation within the normal election by which she repeatedly made headlines for tearing into fellow reporters and mocking her political opponent.

DEMOCRAT HOBBS CLAIMS VICTORY OVER LAKE IN ARIZONA GOVERNOR RACE

Lake ran a full Trumpist marketing campaign and pushed a well-known however divisive message that questioned the legitimacy of the nation's election system. She additionally ramped up the rhetoric and peddled conspiracy theories in regards to the border, Mexicans, and crime with a smile. Her followers ate it up.

Regardless of dropping to Democratic rival Katie Hobbs, Lake has positioned herself as an up-and-coming conservative star — which can have been her objective all alongside.

"This entire marketing campaign was about her attempting out for a gig as a commentator or an anchor for [Right Side Broadcasting Network] or [One America News Network]," Arizona Republican strategist Barrett Marson informed the Washington Examiner. "She actually has a future on tv if that is the way in which she chooses to go."

GOP strategist Rory McShane agreed, telling the Washington Examiner that Lake can "do no matter she desires to do" post-election.

Whereas her bombastic type could have made her unpopular with some GOP voters within the normal election, Lake's spectacular displaying within the Republican main proved she will be able to maintain her personal and encourage conservatives, Marson mentioned.

"Somebody who can provoke a base and is aware of find out how to command a microphone can discover a path in politics, fundraising, and talking engagements," he mentioned. "Simply look to what Stacey Abrams did over the previous few years and the empire she constructed and, fairly frankly, the grift. Between her and Beto [O'Rourke], what number of losers could be anointed the subsequent large factor within the Democratic Social gathering?"

LIZ CHENEY DUNKS ON KARI LAKE AFTER DEFEAT IN ARIZONA GOVERNOR'S RACE

McShane added Lake now has sufficient clout to make energy strikes.

"Sooner or later, a congressional seat goes to open up, and she or he could possibly be the odds-on favourite for that by far," he mentioned. "I believe she may be Primetime with Kari and have a bazillion viewers. I believe there are a variety of prospects, however I believe the underlying level is that the conservative motion is de facto, actually a fan of hers."

Political marketing consultant Lorna Romero took a extra cautious method and mentioned how Lake handles her election loss to Hobbs may make or break her profession.

"If she concedes graciously within the coming days and weeks, then I believe there could possibly be a path for her sooner or later in politics in Arizona," Romero informed the Washington Examiner, including that Lake ought to take time to rebrand and begin associating herself with individuals outdoors the Trumpshere. "From what I've seen [Wednesday] and what she has been retweeting on social media and whatnot, it nonetheless looks like she is mulling over a possible lawsuit over the way in which Maricopa County dealt with the election. If she goes down that route, I believe she is going to perpetually be branded as a Trump-type candidate. I believe her political profession in Arizona might be over. At that time, her solely path could be to be on a conservative speak present someplace."

Romero added that if Lake pivots from former President Donald Trump, her profession may skyrocket.

"She has the title ID, she has the talent and expertise to do one thing, so it is only a query of who she decides to affiliate herself with transferring ahead," Romero mentioned. "If it is the Trump camp and the Trump advisers who've led her down the trail the place she is now, I do not see an excessive amount of success sooner or later for her, particularly on this shifting political nature in Arizona."

Not like different Trump-endorsed candidates who misplaced their races throughout the nation, Lake doubled down when her race was referred to as Monday, tweeting, "Arizonans know BS once they see it."

She had spent the week earlier than hinting at fraud, with out proof, and leveling accusations in opposition to election officers in Maricopa County, purposely enjoying into fears that the election was someway rigged and that individuals's votes weren't being counted appropriately.

Within the lead-up to Trump's announcement Tuesday evening that he's launching a 3rd White Home bid, rumors had surfaced that Lake could also be tapped as his working mate. Marson, nevertheless, dismissed the thought.

"Trump would not like losers and she or he misplaced," he mentioned.