President Donald Trump has expressed his support for Alexander Kolodin in the upcoming Arizona Secretary of State election by issuing a “complete and total endorsement” for the Republican nominee. This endorsement was announced on Truth Social after Kolodin secured the nomination, defeating Gina Swoboda, the former state GOP chair. Kolodin will contend with Democrat Adrian Fontes, the current Arizona Secretary of State, in the November general election.
Kolodin is known for his affiliation with the Legislature’s Freedom Caucus and has previously questioned election outcomes, while aligning himself with Trump’s unfounded claims of election fraud. Trump’s endorsement places importance on this race, as the winner will be responsible for overseeing voting and certification processes in Arizona, a crucial swing state expected to play a pivotal role in the 2028 presidential election.
The backing from Trump serves as a test of his influence beyond his direct supporters amidst declining poll numbers. Trump’s post on Truth Social celebrated Kolodin’s victory and outlined plans for a rally to bolster his chances in the general election. “Congratulations to Alexander Kolodin for his great win in Arizona’s race for Secretary of State,” Trump wrote. “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.”
The Kalshi prediction market has already shown an impact from Trump’s endorsement, with Kolodin’s chances increasing to 18.1 percent as of Sunday morning, marking a rise of six percentage points from the previous day, although Fontes remains significantly ahead with an 81 percent probability of winning.
In response to his nomination, Kolodin shared a message on X on July 22: “Arizona voters spoke up decisively tonight for lawful, transparent, honest, and fair elections.” He emphasized his campaign’s focus on protecting every vote irrespective of party affiliation, stating his intentions to ensure lawfulness and stability if elected. The secretary of state’s role in Arizona encompasses supervising statewide election procedures, certifying voting equipment and election results, and overseeing the filing of candidates and ballot measures.
Kolodin has received backing from the conservative group Turning Point USA alongside various Arizona GOP Congressional members. His involvement in efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 and 2022 elections through legal actions was met with criticism, including sanctions from the Arizona State Bar in 2023 over post-election lawsuits. As a representative of Trump’s campaign, he challenged the 2020 election outcomes through the “Kraken” lawsuit, which accused then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and Governor Doug Ducey of orchestrating “massive election fraud” to benefit President Joe Biden. This lawsuit aimed to disqualify mail-in ballots and prevent Arizona’s electors from voting for Biden, but was dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Diane Humetewa, who stated it lacked reliable evidence and could disenfranchise millions of votes.
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