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 was the Republican nominee for Arizona governor in 2022 and for the U.S. Senate in 2024, unsuccessfully in both attempts. Since 2025, she has served as a special advisor to the United States Agency for Global Media under President Donald Trump.

Sections (5)

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

May 1991: Internship at KWQC-TV

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

1992: Reporter and Weathercaster at WHBF-TV

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

August 1994: Hired by KPNX in Phoenix

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

1998: Relocation to 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, one day after FTVLive published a video clip of Lake at CPAC.

June 2021: Announcement of Gubernatorial Campaign

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: Endorsement from Donald Trump

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

2021: Cited Trump and Others as Precedent for Party-Switching

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

2021: Resignation and Gubernatorial Candidacy

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

August 2, 2022: Won Republican Primary in Arizona

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

September 2022: Gubernatorial Candidate Forum

In September 2022, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs refused to debate Kari Lake during the election; however, both attended a gubernatorial candidate forum held by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where they separately answered questions.

December 2022: Fundraising group started by Lake's advisers

Lake's campaign raised $2.6 million from Election Day until the end of 2022, while taking in even more money from a non-profit fundraising group started by Lake's advisers in December 2022; this group became Lake's main fundraising outlet by February 2023, and is not required to publish donation details.

2022: Lake's 2022 campaign mentioned

In 2022, Kari Lake had a campaign noted for her political approach.

2022: Sought Republican Nomination for Governor

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.

2022: Richer alleges Lake sabotaged the election

In June 2023, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer sued Lake for defamation, alleging that Lake had repeatedly accused him of intentionally sabotaging the 2022 election, which caused threats against him and his family and resulted in him being ostracized from Republican donors and networks.

January 2023: Lawyers paid less than 10% of funds

The Arizona Mirror found in January 2023 that less than 10% of the funds raised by Lake after the election were paid to lawyers, despite Lake claiming that the funds were meant for contesting election results.

February 2023: Fundraising group becomes Lake's main fundraising outlet

June 2023: Richer sues Lake for defamation

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: Senate Candidacy Announcement

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

November 2023: Lake pivots to diplomatic approach

In November 2023, it was noted that Kari Lake shifted from a confrontational approach to a more diplomatic one, aiming to repair relationships with Republicans she had previously criticized.

December 2023: Lake's motion to dismiss defamation suit denied

In December 2023, a Maricopa County judge denied Lake's motion to dismiss the defamation suit, ruling that Lake's statements were not "rhetorical hyperbole" and would not be protected by the First Amendment if proven false.

March 2024: Lake requests hearing for default judgement against herself

In March 2024, Lake requested a hearing for a default judgment against herself in the defamation case, deciding not to contest the defamation claim, and asking for the trial to proceed to the amount of damages she would have to pay Richer. Judge Adleman ruled that Lake could no longer claim in court that she had not defamed Richer.

July 2024: Won Republican Nomination for Senate

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. It was noted that Donald Trump won by 6% in Arizona, whereas Lake lost by 2%.

November 2024: Lake and Richer settle defamation case

In November 2024, the court stated that Lake and Richer had settled the defamation case.

December 2024: Consideration for Voice of America Director

In December 2024, then President-elect Trump considered Kari Lake to be appointed as the next director of Voice of America.

2024: Trump indicates Lake to lead Voice of America

In 2024, Donald Trump indicated Kari Lake as his choice to lead the Voice of America.

2024: United States Senate election candidacy

In 2024, Kari Lake was a candidate for the United States Senate election in Arizona.

2024: Unsuccessful Senate Run

In 2024, Kari Lake was the unsuccessful Republican Party nominee in the United States Senate election in Arizona.

2024: Appeals rejected in defamation case

In 2024, the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court both rejected Lake's appeal, clearing the way for a trial in the defamation case filed by Stephen Richer.