Arizona GOP Primaries Crown Election Deniers as Winners

Arizona's Republican primary elections have crowned candidates who deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election results as victors in key statewide races. Rep. Andy Biggs secured the nomination for governor, while state Rep. Alexander Kolodin and State Senate President Warren Petersen emerged victorious in their bids for secretary of state and attorney general, respectively.

Biggs, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump who played a pivotal role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021, has been at the center of controversy. He faced subpoenas from an Arizona probe into his actions during and after the disputed election period. Kolodin, another prominent figure in the post-election turmoil, represented a slate of fake electors and was disciplined by the Arizona State Bar for his involvement. Additionally, he filed lawsuits challenging both the 2020 and 2022 elections' outcomes.

Petersen's victory is also tied to his role in launching a taxpayer-funded audit into Maricopa County’s election system, which eventually led to him being subpoenaed as part of ongoing investigations. The success of these candidates underscores the continued influence of Trump-backed narratives within the Republican Party, particularly among primary voters who favor those who align closely with the former president's views on election integrity.

Despite their triumph in primaries, these candidates face significant challenges ahead in the general election. Democratic strategists plan to capitalize on voter sentiment that is increasingly skeptical of unfounded claims about electoral fraud and manipulation. "In the Republican Party in Arizona, carrying the Trump line on virtually everything — including election denialism — still benefits you," said former Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.). However, he warned that this strategy could be detrimental during November's general elections: "Among independents and moderate Republicans who vote in the general election, election denialism is not an asset."

The Republican candidates' focus on election integrity has been a consistent theme throughout their campaigns. Biggs has championed the SAVE America Act, a bill aimed at altering election laws to favor Republicans. Kolodin advocates for stricter voter ID requirements and ending Arizona's permanent early voting list. Petersen pledges to expand his office’s election integrity unit to investigate election results more rigorously.

Arizona's pivotal role in the 2020 presidential election makes these candidates' positions particularly contentious. The state was one of several battlegrounds where Trump and his allies pressured local officials to challenge the outcome, leading to legal battles and investigations that continue today. Despite this history, running as an election denier has not been a winning strategy for Republicans in general elections. In 2022, hardline election deniers like Kari Lake (for governor) and Blake Masters (for U.S. Senate) lost their races, even as the party nationally enjoyed success.

As the November elections approach, Democratic nominee Katie Hobbs, Arizona's current governor who served as secretary of state during the 2020 election, is positioning herself to contrast her record of electoral integrity with Biggs' denialist stance. "Arizona is one of seven swing states that will decide the presidential election," Hobbs said in a recent interview. "If Andy Biggs is governor, Arizona is the first swing state with an election denier in charge, and the time to stop that is not 2028. It is right now."

The enduring influence of Trump's rhetoric on election integrity remains a defining feature of Republican politics in Arizona. As long as Trump continues to emphasize these issues, they are likely to remain central concerns for primary voters, despite potential drawbacks during general elections.