Arizona Republicans Oust Election Defenders in Primary Showdown

In a surprising turn of events, many Republican state and county officials in Arizona who previously defended the integrity of the state’s elections have seemingly lost their primary races. The defeats occurred primarily in key areas such as Maricopa and Mohave counties as well as in contests for the state Legislature. These developments underscore the lingering influence of unproven claims of widespread election fraud among Republican voters.

Initial results indicate that these claims continue to resonate strongly, perhaps influencing moderate Republicans and independent voters who reject these assertions to lean towards Democratic candidates in the upcoming November elections. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, stated that voters might convey the message of progression in the 2024 elections, similar to the sentiments expressed in 2022.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer and Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers conceded their races early Wednesday. Both had robustly defended the past two general elections, despite facing significant opposition within their own party. Sellers, in particular, sent a stern warning to election deniers cautioning them on the repercussions of undermining democracy. Conversely, his opponent, Mark Stewart, emphasized operational failures, such as ballot printer issues, yet refrained from alleging widespread fraud.

State Rep. Justin Heap, who defeated Richer, has been non-committal on the fairness of the 2020 and 2022 elections. Heap’s campaign focused on issues like Election Day problems and voter roll maintenance. He will face Democrat Tim Stringham in November, who is urging Richer’s supporters to vote for him to keep the integrity of the elections intact.

Despite the losses of Sellers and Richer, other proponents of the county’s election processes like Supervisor Tom Galvin and County Attorney Rachel Mitchell appear to have been successful against their challengers. This suggests a mixed reaction among voters regarding officials defending the integrity of previous elections.

In state legislative races, Republican State Sen. Ken Bennett lost to Mark Finchem, who has been an advocate for restrictive voting measures and has repeatedly claimed election fraud. Bennett expressed disappointment, noting various factors, including his critical voting record, contributed to his defeat. His loss signifies a shift towards more radical views within the Republican party concerning election integrity.

Democratic State Sen. Priya Sundareshan voiced concern over the losses of Bennett and other officials, indicating that misinformation about election fraud continues to have a destabilizing effect on voter confidence. She emphasized the importance of the Democratic candidates’ obligation to uphold voting rights and instill trust in the electoral process.

Similarly, in Mohave County, Supervisor Buster Johnson conceded to state Sen. Sonny Borrelli, a proponent of hand-counting ballots. Johnson attributed his loss to backlash over both his defense of current election systems and his response to COVID-19 regulations. Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer, known for advising against hand-counting ballots due to legal concerns, also appeared to have been defeated by Brad Miller.

Fontes expressed a hopeful perspective, suggesting that once elected, some of the candidates who doubted election integrity might reconsider their positions after understanding the complexities and safeguards of the electoral system.