Trump Endorses Kolodin in Secretary of State Race
Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Republican Alexander Kolodin for Arizona’s secretary of state. This endorsement comes after Kolodin won the Republican nomination, defeating former state GOP chair Gina Swoboda. Kolodin will challenge the current Secretary of State, Democrat Adrian Fontes, in November’s election.
Kolodin is a member of the Freedom Caucus and has raised doubts about past election results. He has echoed Trump’s unfounded claims of election fraud. Trump’s endorsement elevates this race, highlighting its significance in managing voting and certification in Arizona, a pivotal swing state for the 2028 presidential election.
Through a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his enthusiasm for Kolodin’s victory, stating, “Congratulations to Alexander Kolodin for his great win in Arizona’s race for Secretary of State. He is tough, smart, and a proven winner. He was with me in my big Presidential Win. We’ll do a fantastic Trump Rally to make sure he WINS.”
Kolodin’s Prospects
Following Trump’s endorsement, Kolodin saw an increase in his chances of victory according to the Kalshi prediction market. On Sunday morning, his chances of winning were at 18.1 percent, an improvement of six percentage points since Saturday. However, Fontes remained ahead at 81 percent.
On July 22, Kolodin expressed his commitment to transparent elections, stating on X, “Arizona voters spoke up decisively tonight for lawful, transparent, honest, and fair elections.” He emphasized his focus on protecting every vote and restoring stability and common sense to the Secretary of State’s office.
The winner of this election will oversee key functions as Arizona’s chief election officer amid the 2028 presidential campaign. Responsibilities include certifying voting equipment and statewide election results, and managing candidate filings.
Legal Controversies and Support
Kolodin has received backing from Turning Point USA and several Arizona GOP members of Congress. He has initiated lawsuits aimed at overturning 2020 and 2022 election results in Arizona. His actions faced scrutiny, leading to sanctions from the Arizona State Bar over post-election litigation related to the 2020 election.
Kolodin notably represented Trump in the “Kraken” lawsuit, which accused Arizona officials of orchestrating massive election fraud to favor Joe Biden. The lawsuit sought to disqualify the state’s mail-in ballots and prevent the electors from voting for Biden. U.S. District Court Judge Diane Humetewa dismissed the case, highlighting the absence of relevant evidence and noting its potential to disenfranchise millions of voters.