Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake emphasized motherhood and menopause in a passionate speech at the Republican National Convention, stating that a “middle-aged, fed-up mother” in Washington is more perilous than a grizzly bear.
The RNC’s theme for the second night was “Make America Safe Once Again,” with speakers like Lake focusing on immigration, the border, and crime.
Lake, 54, is in a competitive Senate race in Arizona against Democrat Ruben Gallego, aiming to replace Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Lake has aligned herself with former President Donald Trump and has contested legitimate election results, including Trump’s defeat in 2020 and her own loss in the Arizona governorship race in 2022.
Lake gained prominence in the Republican Party by adopting Trump’s bold rhetoric and criticism of the media. She began her speech by rebuking the press, stating: “I don’t welcome everybody here in this room. The guys up in the fake news, frankly, you guys … have outworn your welcome.”
Lake then linked motherhood to the illegal drug issue and the fentanyl crisis.
She remarked, “The Grand Canyon state has become the fentanyl state, and it’s not OK with this mom. I’m not OK with that,” while pointing at the crowd and asserting, “I don’t think it’s OK with that mom, I don’t think it’s OK with that mom.”
Despite the Republican Party’s efforts to appeal to parents on education policies, it continues to face challenges with women voters and lacks female candidates in top positions.
Lake is the sole woman and mother nominated by Republicans for a competitive U.S. Senate race. A former news anchor married to a schoolteacher with two children, she is making her mark in Arizona politics.
Lake drew a comparison to a mama bear protecting her cubs, declaring, “The most dangerous place on planet Earth is between a mama bear and her baby cubs,” affirming that moms and dads across the nation will make their voices heard.
She humorously added, “I can think of one thing more dangerous than a grizzly bear, and that’s a middle-aged, fed-up mother in Washington, D.C. And I haven’t even started my hot flashes yet, guys. Just wait.”
Addressing her daughter Ruby in the audience, Lake expressed her commitment to fighting for her own children’s future as well as the future of all children.
Despite Gallego having a slight lead in polling over Lake, at 45 percent to 42 percent, according to polling averages from Decision Desk HQ Source.
