Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kari Lake

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kari Lake made an impact.

Kari Lake is an American political figure and former television news anchor. She served as the special advisor to the United States Agency for Global Media starting in 2025. Lake was the Republican Party nominee for the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election and the 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona, but was unsuccessful in both bids.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

May 1991: Intern at KWQC-TV

In May 1991, Kari Lake began working as an intern at KWQC-TV in Davenport, Iowa.

1992: Reporter and Weathercaster

In 1992, Kari Lake became a daily reporter and weekend weathercaster at WHBF-TV in Rock Island.

August 1994: Hired by KPNX

In August 1994, Kari Lake was hired by KPNX in Phoenix, Arizona, as the weekend weather anchor.

1998: Moved to WNYT

In the summer of 1998, Kari Lake relocated to work for WNYT in Albany, New York, replacing Chris Kapostasy.

1999: Anchor at KSAZ-TV

In 1999, Kari Lake became the anchor for the Phoenix television station KSAZ-TV.

1999: Returned to Arizona

In 1999, Kari Lake returned to Arizona and became an evening anchor for KSAZ-TV (Fox 10 Phoenix).

2016: Interviewed Barack Obama

In 2016, Kari Lake interviewed President Barack Obama while at KSAZ-TV.

2020: Interviewed Donald Trump

In 2020, Kari Lake interviewed President Donald Trump while at KSAZ-TV.

March 2021: Departure from KSAZ

In March 2021, Kari Lake announced her departure from KSAZ, a day after a video clip of her at CPAC was published, questioning her role as a journalist.

June 2021: Announced Gubernatorial Campaign

In June 2021, Kari Lake announced her campaign for governor of Arizona.

June 2021: Filed for Republican Nomination

In June 2021, Kari Lake filed paperwork to seek the Republican nomination for governor of Arizona in the 2022 election.

September 2021: Received Trump's Endorsement

In September 2021, Kari Lake received Donald Trump's endorsement in her campaign for governor.

2021: Cited Trump and Reagan as Precedent

After launching her campaign for governor in 2021, Kari Lake cited Trump, Ronald Reagan, and Kelli Ward as precedent for her party-switching.

2021: Campaign Endorsements and Election Claims

During her 2021 campaign for governor, Kari Lake said that she would not have certified Biden's 2020 election victory in Arizona if she had been governor at the time.

2021: Stepped down from KSAZ-TV

In 2021, Kari Lake stepped down from her anchor role at KSAZ-TV shortly before announcing her gubernatorial candidacy.

June 2022: Baseless Election Claims

During a June 2022 debate among candidates for the Republican nomination, Kari Lake continued to make baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen" and "corrupt".

August 2, 2022: Won Republican Primary

On August 2, 2022, Kari Lake won the Republican primary in Arizona.

September 2022: Attended Gubernatorial Forum

In September 2022, Kari Lake and Katie Hobbs both attended a gubernatorial candidate forum held by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where they separately answered questions.

2022: Gubernatorial Campaign

In 2022, Kari Lake had run a gubernatorial campaign with a 'fire-and-brimstone approach'

2022: Sought Republican Nomination

In 2022, Kari Lake sought the Republican nomination for governor of Arizona.

2022: Unsuccessful Gubernatorial Run

In 2022, Kari Lake was the unsuccessful Republican Party nominee in the Arizona gubernatorial election.

January 2, 2023: Hobbs Sworn in as Governor

On January 2, 2023, Hobbs was sworn in as governor.

October 10, 2023: Lake Announces Senate Candidacy

On October 10, 2023, Kari Lake announced her candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona.

October 2023: Announced Senate Candidacy

In October 2023, Kari Lake announced her candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona.

November 2023: Lake Shifts Political Approach

In November 2023, reports indicated that Kari Lake had adopted a more diplomatic approach compared to her gubernatorial campaign, seeking to mend relationships with Republicans she had previously criticized.

July 2024: Won Republican Nomination

In July 2024, Kari Lake won the Republican nomination for the United States Senate election in Arizona.

November 2024: Lake Defeated in General Election

In November 2024, Kari Lake was defeated by Democratic nominee Ruben Gallego in the general election, receiving approximately 80,000 fewer votes. Simultaneously, Donald Trump was winning in Arizona by almost 6%.