Former President Donald Trump has thrown his full support behind Arizona Republican gubernatorial hopeful Kari Lake and Senate contender Blake Masters in what will be seen as a test of his influence in the swing state, but recent polling suggests his preferred candidates face uphill battles against their Democratic opponents ahead of the November 8 election.

Lake, a former television journalist, and Masters, a venture capitalist, have touted Trump's false claims that the 2020 election results were fraudulent, although no evidence has emerged corroborating those allegations. Multiple audits and recounts in Arizona have reaffirmed that President Joe Biden narrowly defeated Trump in the state.

Nonetheless, Lake aims to animate GOP voters with the false claims in her campaign to replace outgoing Republican Governor Doug Ducey, who criticized her candidacy ahead of Arizona's primary. Lake will face off against Arizona Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who previously served in the state's Senate and House of Representatives.

Masters hopes to defeat incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired astronaut. Kelly defeated GOP Senator Martha McSally in a 2020 special election to serve out the remainder of the late Republican Senator John McCain's term. Kelly aims to be re-elected to a full six-year term.

Recent polling data shows Lake and Masters trailing their opponents, suggesting Trump's influence with Arizona voters has waned since he carried the state in 2016 with...

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