Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake is set to pick up another endorsement from a Republican senator, adding to her already growing list from the upper chamber.

On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., formally endorsed Lake in large measure due to her stance on border security.

“I endorse Kari Lake for Senate in Arizona, because Kari will fight to secure the border, lower prices for American families, and restore American Energy Independence,” Budd said in a statement. “We need Kari in the Senate to stop [Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer’s Far-Left agenda. She’ll fight for conservative policies that will make us a strong nation again.”

With Budd’s endorsement, Lake can now claim that over half of Republican Senators, close to 30, have publicly endorsed her campaign. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is also seeking the Republican nomination but remains a long shot due to the weight of Lake’s previous experience in campaigning and slew of high-profile endorsements.

Democrats currently hold a 51-49 advantage in the Senate with two Independents caucusing with Democrats, yet there are 34 seats at play in the 2024 election and Democrats will have to defend 23 of them. Arizona is seen as a possible pickup for Republicans with border security becoming a winning issue.

The most recent polling suggests only a slight advantage over likely Democrat challenger, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., with Lake leading 46% to 45% in a hypothetical matchup. Earlier this month, incumbent Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., announced she would not seek a second term.

A longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, Lake previously lost a highly contested governor’s race in Arizona to current Gov. Katie Hobbs. Trump has endorsed Lake for Senate.

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