Thunderous applause greeted a gubernatorial candidate who stole the show during the warm-up at the recent Trump rally in Phoenix. Kari Lake, a 51-year-old former television newscaster, addressed how she would handle the mask mandates if elected governor. She proclaimed, “As Governor, I will pardon every person and business owner who is charged for violating a mask mandate or refusing to shut down their business – because we know that breathing and earning a living are not a crime!”
Kari Lake represents a new breed of charismatic pro-Trump candidates, one of whom could become his running mate in 2024. This growing list includes Larry Elder in California, Allen West in Texas, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia, who shocked the Establishment by raising more from small donors earlier this year than anyone else in Congress. Kari Lake may ride her criticism of face masks all the way to the Arizona governor’s mansion, and she leads her rival Republicans in favorability ratings. She is far from alone in opposing the tyranny of mandatory face coverings, particularly as imposed against schoolchildren.
Yet, liberals are not too keen on the idea of giving up their stranglehold. Democrat Trump-haters voted against the Trump-endorsed candidate in the recent special election in Texas, probably changing the outcome. Democrats failed to qualify for the runoff election, forcing them to choose between the Trump-endorsed Susan Wright and her Republican opponent Jake Ellzey. Typically Democrats who feel compelled to vote without a candidate would cast a blank ballot, but very few of them did that. Instead, Ellzey overtook Wright’s lead due to vindictive support by Democratic Trump-haters.
Though the battle to save America wages on, conservatives should be encouraged by the rise of new champions like Lake, Elder, and Greene. Still, there is always room for another warrior on the front lines. As our nation’s political landscape changes drastically, will you take your place among those that fight for future generations? You may consider yourself to be too old, too young, too busy, or too introverted to make a difference, but every voice has value in America. Make sure yours is heard.
