Former vice president Mike Pence endorsed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson on Monday, escalating his intra-party proxy war against former president Donald Trump, whose chosen candidate in the race has endorsed his baseless claims about the 2020 election as a focal point of her campaign.
The endorsement marks the second time Pence and Trump have disagreed about a primary, and is the latest point of rivalry between the former members of the same administration, whose relationship severed after Pence certified the 2020 election results.
Taylor Robson has consistently polled behind Trump-backed former TV journalist Kari Lake, who insist on re-litigating the 2020 election at every opportunity.
Pence said Taylor Robson, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents, “is the best choice for Arizona’s future.”
“As Arizona Democrats pursue the reckless Biden-Harris agenda, Karrin Taylor Robson is the only candidate for Governor that will keep Arizona’s border secure and streets safe, empower parents and create great schools, and promote conservative values,” Pence added.
Taylor Robson responded to Pence’s endorsement, professing to be “humbled.”
I am honored to announce the endorsement of former Vice President @Mike_Pence.
He has been a warrior for the sanctity of Life; limited government; law & order; opportunity for all; & the knowledge that our freedoms are granted by God.
I’m proud to have him on my team. #AZgov pic.twitter.com/7u680Z7CDU
— Karrin Taylor Robson for Arizona (@Karrin4Arizona) July 18, 2022
Taylor Robson is also endorsed by outgoing Arizona governor Doug Ducey, who also refused to overturn the 2020 election.
Ducey previously claimed he silenced a phone call from Trump while declaring Joe Biden narrowly won in Arizona during the 2020 presidential election, becoming the first Democrat to do so since 1996.
Trump called Ducey a RINO, a Republican in name only, in his endorsement of Lake.
“She will do a far better job than RINO Governor Doug Ducey — won’t even be a contest!” Trump said.
In May, Pence endorsed Brian Kemp in the Georgia gubernatorial election against Trump-backed David Perdue. The former president scrutinized Kemp for refusing to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, a state that narrowly swung for Biden.