Dueling Trump, Pence Rallies in Arizona Draw Different Crowds as Lake, Robson Trade Barbs

PRESCOTT, Ariz.—One rally looked more like a catered banquet event on steroids, the other like a rock concert with all the hoopla of a religious revival meeting.

One thing was sure: former President Donald Trump and his former Vice President Mike Pence were the stars at dueling rallies in the final days before the Arizona primary on Aug. 2.

“I’m a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican—in that order—and I’m here because Arizona—and America—needs Karrin Taylor Robson as the next governor of Arizona,” Pence said at an event for Robson held at the Tyr Tactical body armor manufacturer in Peoria, Arizona, on July 22.

Former Vice President Mike Pence addressed hundreds of supporters of Arizona gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson at an event in Peoria, Ariz., on July 22, 2022. Pence has endorsed Robson, a Republican, for governor in the Arizona primary on Aug. 2. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Hundreds of Robson supporters and Arizona Republican notables sat at round tables covered in black linen, dining on pork and beef tacos before the rally got underway under bright media lights.

“There is no question that Karrin Robson is a proven conservative ready to lead our state on day one,” said Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who leaves office at the end of two terms in January.

Outgoing Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey stumps for support of Karrin Taylor Robson’s campaign for governor at an event in Peoria, Ariz., on July 22, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

For that reason, he has endorsed Robson for governor, he said.

However, Pence-endorsed Robson currently trails about five percentage points behind front-runner and Trump-endorsed Kari Lake, a former Fox 10 anchor described by Robson as an Obama Democrat turned Republican.

“So what has become too clear to Arizona voters across this state is that Kari