Politics is usually a solo sport, at least on the surface. You see the candidate, you hear the speech, and you watch the polished ads. But if you’ve followed Kari Lake’s meteoric—and highly polarizing—rise from a Phoenix news anchor to a MAGA heavyweight, you’ve probably noticed a tall, bearded man constantly hovering in the background. That’s Jeff Halperin.
He isn’t just her husband. He’s the guy holding the camera, the one managing the lighting, and, quite literally, the person documenting every single word she says to the press. It’s a level of "ride or die" that you don't often see in the high-stakes world of DC or Maricopa County.
The Cameraman Who Became the Strategy
Most people think Jeff Halperin is just a supportive spouse tagging along for the ride. That’s a mistake. Honestly, he’s the technical architect of the "Kari Lake brand." They met nearly 30 years ago when both were working at KPNX-TV in Arizona. She was the rising star in front of the lens; he was the one behind it.
They married in 1998 on a Monday afternoon in Sedona. Think about that for a second. A Monday wedding. It’s a small detail, but it speaks to the non-traditional, work-focused lifestyle they’ve shared for decades.
Fast forward to 2021. When Lake decided to walk away from her 22-year career at Fox 10, she didn't just quit. She consulted Jeff. She famously told him he had "veto power" over her political career because she knew their quiet life was about to be set on fire. He didn't just say yes; he became her full-time documentarian.
Why he films everything
During the 2022 gubernatorial run and the subsequent 2024 Senate race, Halperin was a constant fixture. You’d see him with a green equipment bag strapped to his chest, looking more like a combat photographer than a political spouse.
- The Insurance Policy: Lake wears a microphone almost 24/7 on the trail. Halperin records it all. Why? Because they don't trust the mainstream media. If a journalist clips a quote out of context, Jeff has the "raw" footage to fight back.
- The Look: Coming from local TV, both know that lighting is everything. Halperin ensures that even in a dusty Arizona parking lot, Lake looks like she’s under studio lights.
- The Production: His company, ZenVideo (sometimes referred to as ZenHD), has been the engine behind her social media content.
The Man Behind the "Zen"
While Kari Lake is known for her fiery rhetoric and "Mama Bear" persona, Halperin is reportedly the calm in the storm. It’s even in the name of his business: ZenVideo.
Born in September 1965, Halperin is a Creighton University grad with a background in journalism and history. But here's something most people miss: his heritage. Halperin is of Colombian descent. His mother immigrated from Colombia to Chicago in the 1960s. He grew up bilingual, speaking Spanish at home and learning English from Sesame Street.
This adds a layer of nuance to their household. While Lake has made "securing the border" the cornerstone of her political identity, her husband is the son of an immigrant who came here seeking work and built a life. He often talks about how "amazing" it was to grow up between two cultures.
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Professional Accolades You Didn't Know
Halperin isn't some amateur with an iPhone. He’s an Emmy-nominated pro.
- He was nominated for a Sports Emmy for his work on the ESPN documentary Enes Kanter: Enemy of the State.
- He has covered some of the biggest stories in American history, including the O.J. Simpson trial and the aftermath of 9/11.
He’s got the "chops" to be anywhere in the industry, yet he chose to spend the last few years filming his wife’s stump speeches in rural Arizona.
The Business of Being the Lakes
In 2024, things got a bit messy in the headlines. Financial disclosures revealed that Lake’s campaign had paid ZenVideo—their family business—thousands of dollars for video production services. Critics called it "self-dealing." Supporters called it "keeping it in the family."
The reality? It's basically a mom-and-pop shop that went nuclear. When you look at their operation, there isn't a massive gap between their personal life and their professional life. They have two children, Ruby and Leo, who they try to keep out of the spotlight, but the "Lake-Halperin" machine is a 24-hour operation.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
As of early 2026, Lake has transitioned into a role as a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. It’s a position that perfectly fits their shared background: media and messaging.
You can bet Halperin isn't far behind. Whether he’s officially on the payroll or just the man in the back of the room with the tripod, the dynamic hasn't changed. He provides the "visual proof" for her narrative.
If you want to understand where Kari Lake is going next, don't just watch her Twitter feed. Look for the tall guy with the camera. He’s the one who knows what she’s going to say before she even says it.
Key Takeaways for Following the Lake-Halperin Dynamic:
- Watch the Raw Footage: When Lake releases "behind-the-scenes" clips that look suspiciously high-quality, that's Halperin's work. It's meant to look authentic but is professionally produced.
- The "Veto" Power: Understand that their political moves are joint decisions. If Lake is pivoting her tone, it's likely a strategy discussed over coffee with Jeff.
- The Media Distrust: The "cameraman husband" is a defensive tactic. It tells you everything you need to know about how they view the press—as an adversary that requires a 24/7 witness.
Keep an eye on the FEC filings and new production credits under ZenVideo. That’s usually where the first hints of their next big move show up.