Rep. Alexander Kolodin Launches Campaign for Chief Elections Officer, Sidesteps Trump’s Election Views

Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Republican from Scottsdale, announced his candidacy for Arizona’s Secretary of State on Monday, but he refrained from addressing whether former President Trump is acting illegally in his push for proof of citizenship from voters. During the press conference, Kolodin emphasized the need for transparency in elections and criticized incumbent Democrat Adrian Fontes for neglecting election laws.

Kolodin’s campaign is focused on “rebuilding trust” in the election system. However, when asked about the Republican party’s past claims regarding election fraud and their potential impact on public trust, he deflected. Despite being sanctioned for filing numerous lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results—one of which was dismissed for lacking credible evidence—Kolodin did not mention this disciplinary action during his remarks.

Refusing to clarify his stance on whether Biden legitimately won Arizona in 2020, Kolodin pointed fingers at Fontes, accusing him of mishandling the electoral process. He cited a recent ruling that found Fontes failed to provide sufficient public input on the Elections Procedures Manual.

While county officials oversee election management, the Secretary of State plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with election laws. Moreover, this position often becomes central in discussions surrounding election legality and legislative matters.

Kolodin took a firm stance against the requirement for documented proof of citizenship instituted by voters in 2004, noting that federal law allows individuals to register for federal elections by merely affirming their citizenship. Previous court decisions have upheld this provision, dismissing challenges from Arizona lawmakers.

In response to Trump’s recent executive order mandating proof of citizenship, Kolodin shifted focus to criticize Fontes, suggesting that the latter’s actions contributed to recent electoral confusion, including the status of over 200,000 registered voters lacking proof of citizenship.

Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs expressed skepticism towards Trump’s executive actions, emphasizing that such unilateral decisions may overreach presidential authority.

Kolodin aims to restore public confidence in the electoral system, arguing that when citizens lose faith in the fair representation of their voices, democracy is jeopardized. However, he avoided addressing how his party’s actions may have contributed to this erosion of trust.

Reflecting on the infamous “Kraken” lawsuit, which claimed extensive fraud in the 2020 election, Kolodin framed himself as a victim of political attacks. This suit, dismissed by a federal judge for lacking reliable evidence, was part of the series of actions that led to his professional repercussions.