Candidates who have questioned or denied the 2020 presidential election results are seeking statewide offices in numerous swing states, according to reporting from the Guardian. These candidates are pursuing positions including governor and secretary of state—roles with significant authority over election administration and result certification.
In Arizona, U.S. Representative Andy Biggs, a former state lawmaker, is running for governor. He voted against certifying his state’s election results in 2020 and has claimed without evidence that widespread voter fraud occurred. Biggs has also questioned voting machines and called for audits, though an Arizona state senate audit ultimately affirmed President Biden’s victory. He reportedly sought a presidential pardon for his efforts to overturn results. Additionally, Arizona state representative and attorney Alex Kolodin is running for secretary of state. Kolodin served as legal counsel for lawsuits challenging the 2020 results and represented some individuals involved in the fake elector scheme, facing discipline from the state bar. Kolodin has dismissed complaints against him as coming from “radical left-wing activists.”
In other competitive states, similar patterns have emerged. Michigan U.S. Representative John James initially refused to concede his own 2020 Senate loss and has characterized the 2020 election as “rigged,” though he stated in 2022 that Biden was duly elected. Georgia healthcare executive Rick Jackson, who won a runoff to become the Republican gubernatorial nominee, previously criticized the current Republican secretary of state as a “Judas” for refusing Trump’s pressure to overturn results. Jackson’s campaign has acknowledged Biden’s victory while citing concerns about 2020 election issues. Nevada state lawmaker Jim Marchant, described as a prominent election denier, previously lost a 2022 race for secretary of state and is running again this November.
Governors and secretaries of state hold substantial authority over election administration. Governors certify state election results and can call for investigations, while secretaries of state typically serve as chief election officials. Political analysts have expressed concerns that election deniers in these positions during the 2028 presidential election could refuse to certify results or face pressure to do so, particularly if Republican candidates lose. None of the candidates mentioned responded to inquiries about their current position on the 2020 results or their willingness to certify 2028 outcomes.
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