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 special advisor to the US Agency for Global Media starting in 2025. Lake was the Republican nominee for Arizona governor in 2022 and for US Senate in Arizona in 2024, losing both elections.

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, while attending the University of Iowa.

1992: Reporter and Weathercaster at WHBF-TV

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

August 1994: Hired by KPNX

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

1998: Joins WNYT in Albany, New York

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

1999: Anchor for KSAZ-TV

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

1999: Returns to Arizona and joins KSAZ-TV

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

2016: Interviewed Barack Obama

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

2020: Interviewed Donald Trump

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

March 2021: Departure from KSAZ

In March 2021, Kari Lake announced her departure from KSAZ, following a video clip of her at CPAC.

June 2021: Announced Candidacy for Governor

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

June 2021: Filed Paperwork for Gubernatorial Nomination

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

September 2021: Endorsed by Donald Trump

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

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.

2021: Endorsed by Trump Figures

In 2021, Trump endorsed Lake's candidacy, as did pro-Trump Republican figures such as Arizona congressman Paul Gosar and former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

August 2, 2022: Won Republican Primary

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

September 2022: Gubernatorial Candidate Forum

In September 2022, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs refused to debate Lake, but both attended a forum held by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

December 2022: Lake's Campaign Fundraising

From Election Day until the end of December 2022, Lake's campaign raised $2.6 million. Additionally, a non-profit fundraising group started by Lake's advisers was created.

2022: Sought Republican Nomination for Governor

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

2022: Unsuccessful Gubernatorial Candidate

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

2022: 2022 Campaign

In 2022, Lake had a fire-and-brimstone approach in her campaign and attacked republicans.

February 2023: Lake's Main Fundraising Outlet

By February 2023, the non-profit fundraising group had become Lake's main fundraising outlet. Donation details were not required to be published.

March 2023: Recording of Lake and DeWit Conversing

In March 2023, a recording of Kari Lake and Jeff DeWit conversing was published by right-wing talk show host Garret Lewis. In the recording, DeWit told Lake that powerful people wanted to keep her out of the 2024 Arizona Senate race and were willing to offer her money to pause for a couple of years. Lake responded that she "can't be bought."

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

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

October 2023: Senate Candidacy Announcement

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

November 2023: Lake shifted to a more diplomatic approach

In November 2023, it was noted that Kari Lake had shifted from a fire-and-brimstone approach from her gubernatorial campaign to a more diplomatic approach, seeking to mend relationships with Republicans she had previously attacked.

January 2024: Lake Publicly Called for Arizona Republican Party Chair Jeff DeWit to Resign

In January 2024, Kari Lake publicly called for the resignation of Arizona Republican Party chair Jeff DeWit for being "corrupt and compromised," leading to his resignation a day later.

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. Lake received approximately 80,000 fewer votes than Gallego.