Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado, who previously criticized President Joe Biden's immigration policies, has endorsed Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) in the Arizona Senate race, despite previously appearing with Kari Lake in her campaign event.

Maldonado's endorsement is significant in a border town intricately impacted by immigration issues, as Breitbart reports.

Maldonado made the announcement on Tuesday, becoming the third border mayor to endorse Gallego. This follows his appearance with Kari Lake during her "Mama Bear Border Tour" in November 2023, where he did not endorse Lake but criticized Biden's immigration policies.

Maldonado Cites Gallego's Commitment to Nogales

Maldonado emphasized Gallego's deep understanding of Nogales and his commitment to Arizona. "Ruben Gallego has a deep understanding of our community here in Nogales and a genuine commitment to making Arizona a better place for all of us," said Maldonado.

In the past, Maldonado spoke about the negative impact of decisions made in Washington on Nogales. Specifically, he mentioned the effect on the town's tourist and traffic lanes. "Since Washington made that decision without even communicating to the community, it hurt us because it shut down half of our regular tourist lanes, traffic lanes, and cars, which is what the city of Nogales depends on," he said.

Historical Context of Nogales and Santa Cruz County

Nogales is located in Santa Cruz County, a Democratic stronghold that voted overwhelmingly for Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Maldonado was elected to the Nogales City Council in 2016 and became mayor in 2022. His endorsement of Gallego aligns with the political leanings of the county.

Gallego's Growing Support Among Border Officials

Rep. Ruben Gallego has also received endorsements from other border officials, including San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel, Somerton Mayor Gerardo Anaya, and border Sheriff David Hathaway. Gallego expressed gratitude for Maldonado's endorsement, stating, "Mayor Maldonado has been a fierce advocate for the people of Nogales, fighting to deliver more resources, enhanced staffing, upgraded ports, and advanced technology to address the everyday realities Southern Arizona faces."

Gallego added, "I am committed to supporting Arizona’s local leaders in every corner of the state and deeply appreciate Mayor Maldonaldo’s endorsement in this campaign."

Kari Lake's Response to Maldonado's Endorsement

Despite Maldonado's endorsement of Gallego, Kari Lake's spokesman criticized Gallego's stance on immigration.

"Ruben Gallego called the border wall stupid, he voted against all of Trump’s policies to secure the border, supported illegal immigrants voting in our elections, and called for the repeal of Title 42," said the spokesman.

Recent Developments in Border Security

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently announced a decrease in migrants entering through the southern border.

This development may influence the perspectives of voters in border communities like Nogales.

Political Forecast for the Senate Race

The Cook Political Report has adjusted its prediction for the Arizona Senate race from "toss-up" to "lean Democrat."

This shift indicates a potential advantage for Gallego as he gains support from key border officials.

Historical Electoral Context in Arizona

Arizona has a complex political history. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden narrowly won Arizona by 10,457 votes, making him only the second Democrat to win the state in the last 70 years.

Recent polling shows Trump leading in Arizona by an average of 5.6 points.

Conclusion: Maldonado's Endorsement Reflects Border Community Concerns

Maldonado's endorsement of Gallego highlights the intricate concerns of border communities affected by immigration policies. As the Arizona Senate race progresses, the support of local leaders like Maldonado could prove pivotal. Gallego's campaign continues to gain momentum with endorsements from other border officials, while the broader political landscape remains dynamic.

This endorsement underscores the importance of addressing local issues and engaging with community leaders in shaping the future of Arizona.