TUCSON, Ariz. — In a surprising turn on the eve of the presidential debate, GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake opted not to participate in her scheduled face-off against primary opponent Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. Instead, she chose to host a town hall in Tucson alongside a former UFC fighter, leaving Lamb alone on the debate stage and highlighting Lake’s unconventional campaign approach.

Lake’s decision to forego the debate was portrayed by her campaign as an opportunity to directly engage with voters across the political spectrum ahead of what is expected to be a critical general election. During the hour-long town hall, she briefly mentioned Lamb while emphasizing her commanding lead in the polls without directly naming him.

“Our focus is on ensuring everyone votes in July, despite my substantial lead over my primary competitor,” Lake asserted.

Looking ahead beyond the primary, Lake has firmly targeted Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, consistently labeling him as a “swamp rat,” a “deadbeat,” and most recently, “Nancy Pelosi with a beard.”

Meanwhile, while Lake conducted her town hall, Lamb participated in a separate Q&A session organized by Arizona’s Clean Elections Commission in lieu of the planned debate. Although Lamb refrained from explicitly mentioning Lake, his remarks subtly conveyed disappointment over her absence.

“If Kari Lake were here, what would you ask her first?” the moderator queried Lamb.

“I’m not here to run against anyone tonight,” Lamb pointedly replied. “This is a job interview, and I’m present. I would never hire someone who skips an interview or lacks the necessary job experience.”

Lake’s avoidance of debating Lamb has been a recurring theme throughout the campaign. Earlier, at a press conference in Phoenix, Lake underscored her focus on gearing up for the general election rather than engaging in primary debates.

“This is an expensive race, with hundreds of millions poured into it. We need a candidate who can compete at that level, so I’m squarely focused on the competition ahead,” Lake informed reporters.

Their closest encounter to a formal debate occurred during a virtual forum hosted by the Association of Mature American Citizens on May 23. Tensions flared as they exchanged views on election integrity, with Lake branding Lamb a “total coward” for his stance on the 2020 election results, while Lamb emphasized evidence-based reasoning over conjecture.

Despite Lake’s strong statewide recognition stemming from her tenure as a local news anchor and a high-profile 2022 gubernatorial bid, her campaign has not been without controversy. Recent shifts in her stance on abortion have prompted concerns among some Arizona Republicans. Dana Morrison-Miller, a former supporter now backing Lamb, voiced disappointment with Lake’s perceived inconsistency on the issue.

However, not all voters share Morrison-Miller’s reservations. Melissa Poghossian, a speech pathologist from Peoria, remains steadfast in her support for Lake, citing her understanding of the challenges faced by working Americans and her commitment to safeguarding the nation’s future.

As Lake and Lamb navigate the final stretch of the primary campaign, their contrasting strategies and the fallout from Lake’s debate absence underscore the high stakes in the race for Arizona’s Senate seat, potentially influencing the balance of power in Washington.