Republicans score big win in race for crucial Senate seat after Libertarian candidate drops out

Asher Notheis

November 01, 08:32 AM November 01, 08:44 AM

Libertarian candidate Marc Victor has dropped out of the Arizona Senate race, giving Republicans a major boost as they try to secure a majority in the upper house of Congress.

In withdrawing from the race, Victor has endorsed Republican candidate Blake Masters, who is running against incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). Victor dropping out of the race comes a week before the election between the two, which is still very tight with only days left for the two to reach out to voters, according to a statement from Masters's campaign.

“I found Blake to be generally supportive of the Live and Let Live Global Peace Movement,” Victor said in a statement on Tuesday. "Likewise, we found ourselves in general agreement about how to improve America and advance the cause of freedom and peace. After that discussion, I believe it is in the best interests of freedom and peace to withdraw my candidacy and enthusiastically support Blake Masters for United States Senate. I intend to assist in any way reasonably possible to elect Blake."

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Victor and Masters spoke to each other on Monday in a 20-minute recorded conversation, which the Libertarian candidate had made a precondition to quitting. Victor is expected to publish the conversation for the public to listen to themselves, a person familiar with the conversation told the New York Times.

Masters was appreciative of Victor's endorsement, stating that it was "another major boost of momentum as we consolidate our support against the extreme and radical policies of Mark Kelly and Joe Biden. Live and Let Live."

Masters, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has attempted to gain the support of Libertarian voters. On Thursday, the Senate candidate posted a 2010 photo of himself with former Rep. Ron Paul, thanking the famous Libertarian candidate for his endorsement.

A New York Times-Siena College poll released Monday stated that Kelly holds a 6 percentage point lead over Masters, with Kelly at 51% and Masters at 45%. The poll, conducted from Oct. 24 through Oct. 28, surveyed a total of 604 likely Arizona voters and had a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

To gain control of the Senate, the Republican Party needs to have a net gain of at least one Senate seat. The Senate race between Republicans and Democrats is currently in a dead heat as of Tuesday, with both parties winning 50 out of 100 simulated outcomes, according to FiveThirtyEight.