2022 Arizona Secretary of State election

The 2022 Arizona Secretary of State election was held on Tuesday, November 8, to elect the next Secretary of State of Arizona. Incumbent Secretary of State Katie Hobbs declined to run for a second term, to instead run for governor.^[1] Primary elections were held on August 2, 2022.^[2]Democrat and former Maricopa County recorder Adrian Fontes defeated Republican representative Mark Finchem by 4.8%.

Finchem was backed by the America First Secretary of State Coalition,^[3]^[4] a Republican group supporting Secretary of State candidates who championed the far-right conspiracy theory that falsely claimed that Donald Trump won the 2020 United States presidential election. Due to a combination of Arizona's role as a swing state in the previous presidential election, Finchem's views, and the role of the Secretary of State in certifying elections, the race took upon an uncharacteristically high national profile.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Adrian Fontes, former Maricopa County Recorder (2017–2020) and U.S. Marine Corps veteran^[5]^[6]

Eliminated in primary

Reginald Bolding, minority leader of the Arizona House of Representatives^[7]

Declined

Katie Hobbs, incumbent Secretary of State^[1]^[8](ran for Governor)

Debate

Polling

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Mark Finchem, state representative for Arizona's 11th legislative district^[14]^[15]

Eliminated in primary

Shawnna Bolick, state representative for Arizona's 20th legislative district^[16]
Beau Lane, advertising executive^[17]
Michelle Ugenti-Rita, state senator for Arizona's 23rd legislative district^[18]

Endorsements

Mark Finchem

U.S. Executive Branch officials

Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)^[19]

Organizations

America First Secretary of State Coalition^[4]

Beau Lane

Statewide officials

Jan Brewer, former Governor of Arizona (2009–2015) and former Secretary of State of Arizona (2003–2009)^[20]
Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona (2015–present) and former State Treasurer of Arizona (2011–2015)^[21]
Fife Symington, former Governor of Arizona (1990–1997)^[20]

Publications

Casa Grande Dispatch^[22]

Debate

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Results

General election

Debate

Predictions

Post-primary endorsements

Adrian Fontes (D)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

Dennis K. Burke, former United States Attorney for the District of Arizona (2009–2011)^[30]
Marco A. López Jr., former Chief of Staff of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (2009–2011), former Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce (2008–2009), former Mayor of Nogales (2001–2004), candidate for Governor of Arizona in 2022^[30]
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States (2009–2017)^[31]

U.S. Senators

Dennis DeConcini, former Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee (1993–1995), former U.S. Senator from Arizona (1977–1995)^[30]

U.S. Representatives

Liz Cheney, U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district (2017–2023) (Republican)^[32]
Raúl Grijalva, Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources (2019–2023), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (2009–2019), U.S. Representative from Arizona's 3rd congressional district (2013–2023), former U.S. Representative from Arizona's 7th congressional district (2003–2013)^[30]
Adam Kinzinger, U.S. Representative for Illinois's 16th congressional district (2011–2023) (Republican)^[33]

Statewide officials

Paul K. Charlton, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona (2001–2006)^[34]
Anna Tovar, Member of the Arizona Corporation Commission (2021–present), former Member of the Arizona Senate from the 19th district (2013–2015), former Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 13th district (2009–2013)

State legislators

Sean Bowie, Member of the Arizona Senate from the 18th district (2017–present)^[30]
Heather Carter, Member of the Arizona Senate from the 15th district (2019–2021), former Member of the Arizona House of Representatives (2011–2019) (Republican)^[34]
Andrea Dalessandro, Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 2nd district (2013–2014, 2021–present), former Member of the Arizona Senate from the 2nd district (2014–2021)^[30]
Mitzi Epstein, Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 18th district (2017–present)^[30]
Steve Farley, Member of the Arizona Senate from the 9th district (2013–2019), former Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 28th district (2007–2013)^[30]
Brian Fernandez, Member of the Arizona Senate from the 4th district (2021–present)^[30]
Sally Ann Gonzales, Member of the Arizona Senate from the 3rd district (2019–present), former Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 3rd district (2013–2019), former Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 27th district (2011–2013), former Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 20th district (1997–2001)^[30]
Deb Gullett, Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 18th district (2001–2005) (Republican)^[34]
Joel John, Member of the Arizona Senate from the 4th district (2021–present) (Republican)^[34]
Lorenzo Sierra, Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 19th district (2019–present)^[30]
Roberta Voss, Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 19th district (1997-2003) (Republican)^[34]

Local officials

Steve Gallardo, Member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors from the 5th district (2015–present), former Member of the Arizona Senate from the 29th district (2013–2015), former Member of the Arizona Senate from the 13th district (2011–2013), former Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 13th district (2003–2009)^[30]
John Giles, Mayor of Mesa (2014–present) (Republican)^[34]
Neil Giuliano, Mayor of Tempe (1994–2004)^[34]
Phil Gordon, former Mayor of Phoenix (2004–2012), former Member of the Phoenix City Council (1997–2004)^[30]
Paul Johnson, Mayor of Phoenix (1990–1994) (Independent)^[34]
Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson (2019–present)^[30]
Rick Romley, County Attorney for Maricopa County (1989–2004, 2010) (Republican)^[34]

Individuals

Don Bivens, former Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party (2009–2011)^[30]

Organizations

Labor unions

AFL–CIO^[30]
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees^[30]
Communications Workers of America^[30]
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers^[30]
LiUNA Building America^[30]
Teamsters Local 104^[30]
UFCW Local 99^[30]
United Mine Workers of America^[36]

Polling

Graphical summary

Hypothetical polling

Katie Hobbs vs. Michelle Ugenti-Rita

Generic Democrat vs. generic Republican

Results

By county

By congressional district

Fontes won five out of nine congressional districts, including two that elected Republicans.^[53]

Post-election legal challenge

In December 2022, Mark Finchem filed a lawsuit petitioning for the election to be "nullified and redone"; the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice that month by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Melissa Julian, confirming Adrian Fontes' victory in the election.^[54]^[55]^[56] While Finchem alleged that voting machines in Arizona were not properly certified, the judge rejected this, because the Election Assistance Commission did not vote to revoke certification, which is the procedure under federal law, so the judge rejected the merits of Finchem's arguments on voting machines certification.^[56]^[57] The judge also rejected the merits of Finchem's arguments on voting software certification.^[57] Next, regarding Finchem's issues with tabulating machines and a website listing for an estimated number of votes, the judge concluded that Finchem "does not allege that any of the votes cast were actually illegal" and does not allege that any legal vote was not counted, but only alleged "suspicions that some votes may not have been counted", so the judge rejected this argument as insufficient to overturn an election.^[56]^[58]

Then, the judge rejected Finchem's allegations of "misconduct" by Secretary of State Katie Hobbs as insufficient.^[56] Finchem argued that Hobbs should have recused after her gubernatorial opponent Kari Lake "perceived a conflict of interest", with the judge responding that this were "not well-pled facts; they are legal conclusions masquerading as alleged facts", and legal conclusions unsupported by Arizona law.^[57] Regarding Hobbs' actions in telling Mohave County and Cochise County to certify their election by the November 28 deadline, the judge stated that it was Hobbs' responsibility "to ensure the canvass and certification of a general election is completed within the statutorily prescribed timeframes", and that it was not misconduct for her "to communicate with other governing bodies to ensure" thus.^[58] Finally, the judge rejected Finchem's protest over his allegation that Twitter suspended his account in October 2022 as irrelevant because Twitter is not an "election official".^[58]

Finchem appealed the rejection of his election challenge, then abandoned the appeal in July 2023, with his lawyer citing other failed 2022 election challenging lawsuits in Arizona.^[59]

Notes

1 2 3 4 5 6Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear
↑"Other" with 4%; Beau Lane with 0%
↑"Refused" with 1%
↑"Some other candidate" with 2%
↑"Someone else" with 5%
↑"Other" with 1%; "Refused" with <1%
↑"Some other candidate" with 1%
↑"Neither" with 7%; "Other" with 3%
↑"Neither" with 4%; "Other" with 2%

Partisan clients

1 2 3This poll was sponsored by Our Vote Our Voice, which supports Bolding
↑This poll was sponsored by an unknown PAC
↑This poll was sponsored by an unknown client
↑Poll conducted for Citizens United, a conservative non-profit organization.
↑Poll conducted for Univision.
↑Poll conducted for The Federalist, a conservative online magazine.
↑Poll sponsored by Fontes' campaign.
↑This poll was sponsored by End Citizens United and Let America Vote, who support Fontes

References

12Oxford, Andrew. "In spotlight of audit, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs announces run for Arizona governor". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
↑Pedrosa, Camila (April 25, 2022). "Group plans appeal in effort to keep Biggs, Gosar, Finchem off ballot". Arizona PBS. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
↑Montellaro, Zach (August 1, 2022). "Trump-backed conspiracy theorist makes charge for chief election position in Arizona". Politico. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
1 2"Candidates - America First Secretary of State Coalition". americafirstsos.com. November 26, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑"Ex-Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes running for secretary of state". KTAR.com. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
↑"Meet Adrian Fontes". Elect Fontes. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
↑Duda, Jeremy (June 14, 2021). "Bolding running for secretary of state, will face Fontes in Dem primary". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
↑Services, Howard Fischer Capitol Media. "Rep. Finchem showing interest in running for Arizona secretary of state". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
1 2 3Lake Research Partners (D)
↑OH Predictive Insights (D)
↑Public Policy Polling (D)
1 2 3OH Predictive Insights
1 2Arizona Secretary of State (August 22, 2022). "State of Arizona Official Canvass – August 2, 2022, Primary Election"(PDF). Retrieved August 26, 2022.
↑Villarreal, Daniel (March 29, 2021). "GOP Rep. Mark Finchem to run for Arizona Secretary of State as he faces recall effort over voter fraud claims". Newsweek. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
↑"MarkFinchem@me.com on Gab:". Gab Social. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
↑Duda, Jeremy (June 22, 2021). "Shawnna Bolick, author of bill to reject voters' presidential choice, running to be top elections official". AZ Mirror. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
↑Oxford, Andrew (June 29, 2021). "Beau Lane to seek Republican nomination for Arizona secretary of state". www.azcentral.com. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
↑Stone, Kevin (May 27, 2021). "State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita running for Arizona Secretary of State". KTAR.
↑Cooper, Jonathan (September 14, 2021). "Trump gives endorsement in Arizona secretary of state race". Fox 10 Phoenix. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
1 2"Brewer and Symington Endorse Beau Lane for Secretary of State". Yellowsheet Report. February 23, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
↑"Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey endorses Beau Lane". Arizona Republic. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
↑"Editorial: Primary election". Casa Grande Dispatch. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
↑Rasmussen Reports
↑OH Predictive Insights
↑OH Predictive Insights
↑OH Predictive Insights
↑HighGround Public Affairs (R)
↑"Secretary of State and Attorney General: What to Watch for Next Week in Key Statewide Contests". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
↑Solomon, Zack (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Secretary of State Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28"Adrian's Endorsements".
↑Stahl, Jeremy (November 8, 2022). "The Most Worrisome Election This Cycle". Slate. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
↑Boehm, Jessica (October 6, 2022). "Liz Cheney says 2 Arizona GOP candidates are a threat to democracy". Axios. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
↑Montellaro, Zach. "Kinzinger endorses Dems in major governor, secretary of state races". POLITICO. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Macdonald-Evoy, Jerod (September 29, 2022). "GOP lawmaker backs Adrian Fontes over Mark Finchem to lead AZ elections". Retrieved September 30, 2022.
↑"Equality Arizona Endorsements". Equality Arizona.
↑"Arizona - COMPAC Endorsements". UMWA. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
↑Data Orbital (R)
↑KAConsulting (R)
↑HighGround Inc.
↑Big Data Poll (R)
↑OH Predictive Insights
↑Siena College/NYT
↑BSP Research/Shaw & Co.
↑Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)
↑HighGround Inc.
↑CNN/SSRS
↑SurveyUSA (D)
↑Global Strategy Group (D)
↑The Trafalgar Group (R)
↑OH Predictive Insights
↑OH Predictive Insights
↑"2022 General Election Statewide Canvass"(PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
↑"DRA 2020". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
↑"Judge dismisses Mark Finchem's lawsuit challenging election results". 12News. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
↑Julian, Melissa. "Order Granting Motions to Dismiss First Amended Verified Statement of Election Contest". Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
1 2 3 4Gans, Jared (December 16, 2022). "Arizona Republican loses election lawsuit in secretary of state race". The Hill. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
1 2 3Mendez, David (December 16, 2022). "Arizona court strikes down GOP candidate's election challenge". NY1. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
1 2 3"Judge tosses Finchem's election challenge for lack of evidence". tucson.com. Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
↑Fischer, Howard (August 1, 2023). "Republican Mark Finchem drops appeal of 2022 loss in Arizona election". tucson.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.

External links

Official campaign websites:

Mark Finchem (R) for Secretary of State
Adrian Fontes (D) for Secretary of State

[Key-9] 1 2 3 4 5 6Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear

[32] "Other" with 4%; Beau Lane with 0%

[43] "Refused" with 1%

[47] "Some other candidate" with 2%

[53] "Someone else" with 5%

[56] "Other" with 1%; "Refused" with <1%

[58] "Some other candidate" with 1%

[60] "Neither" with 7%; "Other" with 3%

[61] "Neither" with 4%; "Other" with 2%

[OVOV-11] 1 2 3This poll was sponsored by Our Vote Our Voice, which supports Bolding

[DemPACUnknown-13] This poll was sponsored by an unknown PAC

[DemUnknown-15] This poll was sponsored by an unknown client

[CE-45] Poll conducted for Citizens United, a conservative non-profit organization.

[UV-52] Poll conducted for Univision.

[Fed-55] Poll conducted for The Federalist, a conservative online magazine.

[Fontes-63] Poll sponsored by Fontes' campaign.

[65] This poll was sponsored by End Citizens United and Let America Vote, who support Fontes

[:2-1] 12Oxford, Andrew. "In spotlight of audit, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs announces run for Arizona governor". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 2, 2021.

[2] Pedrosa, Camila (April 25, 2022). "Group plans appeal in effort to keep Biggs, Gosar, Finchem off ballot". Arizona PBS. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

[3] Montellaro, Zach (August 1, 2022). "Trump-backed conspiracy theorist makes charge for chief election position in Arizona". Politico. Retrieved August 6, 2022.

[americafirstsos.com-4] 1 2"Candidates - America First Secretary of State Coalition". americafirstsos.com. November 26, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[5] "Ex-Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes running for secretary of state". KTAR.com. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.

[6] "Meet Adrian Fontes". Elect Fontes. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

[7] Duda, Jeremy (June 14, 2021). "Bolding running for secretary of state, will face Fontes in Dem primary". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved June 15, 2021.

[foo-8] Services, Howard Fischer Capitol Media. "Rep. Finchem showing interest in running for Arizona secretary of state". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 7, 2021.

[Lake_Research_Partners_D-10] 1 2 3Lake Research Partners (D)

[12] OH Predictive Insights (D)

[14] Public Policy Polling (D)

[OH_Predictive_Insights-16] 1 2 3OH Predictive Insights

[primary_results-17] 1 2Arizona Secretary of State (August 22, 2022). "State of Arizona Official Canvass – August 2, 2022, Primary Election"(PDF). Retrieved August 26, 2022.

[18] Villarreal, Daniel (March 29, 2021). "GOP Rep. Mark Finchem to run for Arizona Secretary of State as he faces recall effort over voter fraud claims". Newsweek. Retrieved March 31, 2021.

[19] "MarkFinchem@me.com on Gab:". Gab Social. Retrieved April 8, 2021.

[20] Duda, Jeremy (June 22, 2021). "Shawnna Bolick, author of bill to reject voters' presidential choice, running to be top elections official". AZ Mirror. Retrieved June 23, 2021.

[21] Oxford, Andrew (June 29, 2021). "Beau Lane to seek Republican nomination for Arizona secretary of state". www.azcentral.com. Retrieved January 5, 2022.

[22] Stone, Kevin (May 27, 2021). "State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita running for Arizona Secretary of State". KTAR.

[Fox_10_Phoenix-23] Cooper, Jonathan (September 14, 2021). "Trump gives endorsement in Arizona secretary of state race". Fox 10 Phoenix. Retrieved September 15, 2021.

[yellow-24] 1 2"Brewer and Symington Endorse Beau Lane for Secretary of State". Yellowsheet Report. February 23, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.

[25] "Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey endorses Beau Lane". Arizona Republic. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.

[26] "Editorial: Primary election". Casa Grande Dispatch. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.

[27] Rasmussen Reports

[28] OH Predictive Insights

[29] OH Predictive Insights

[30] OH Predictive Insights

[31] HighGround Public Affairs (R)

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-33] "Secretary of State and Attorney General: What to Watch for Next Week in Key Statewide Contests". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.

[Elections_Daily-34] Solomon, Zack (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Secretary of State Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2022.

[FontesEndorsements-35] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28"Adrian's Endorsements".

[36] Stahl, Jeremy (November 8, 2022). "The Most Worrisome Election This Cycle". Slate. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

[37] Boehm, Jessica (October 6, 2022). "Liz Cheney says 2 Arizona GOP candidates are a threat to democracy". Axios. Retrieved October 8, 2022.

[38] Montellaro, Zach. "Kinzinger endorses Dems in major governor, secretary of state races". POLITICO. Retrieved October 11, 2022.

[coalition-39] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Macdonald-Evoy, Jerod (September 29, 2022). "GOP lawmaker backs Adrian Fontes over Mark Finchem to lead AZ elections". Retrieved September 30, 2022.

[40] "Equality Arizona Endorsements". Equality Arizona.

[41] "Arizona - COMPAC Endorsements". UMWA. Retrieved October 28, 2022.

[42] Data Orbital (R)

[44] KAConsulting (R)

[46] HighGround Inc.

[48] Big Data Poll (R)

[49] OH Predictive Insights

[50] Siena College/NYT

[51] BSP Research/Shaw & Co.

[54] Susquehanna Polling & Research (R)

[57] HighGround Inc.

[59] CNN/SSRS

[62] SurveyUSA (D)

[64] Global Strategy Group (D)

[66] The Trafalgar Group (R)

[67] OH Predictive Insights

[68] OH Predictive Insights

[69] "2022 General Election Statewide Canvass"(PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved December 5, 2022.

[70] "DRA 2020". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved January 4, 2025.

[71] "Judge dismisses Mark Finchem's lawsuit challenging election results". 12News. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[72] Julian, Melissa. "Order Granting Motions to Dismiss First Amended Verified Statement of Election Contest". Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[Gans-73] 1 2 3 4Gans, Jared (December 16, 2022). "Arizona Republican loses election lawsuit in secretary of state race". The Hill. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[Mendez-74] 1 2 3Mendez, David (December 16, 2022). "Arizona court strikes down GOP candidate's election challenge". NY1. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[Tucson-75] 1 2 3"Judge tosses Finchem's election challenge for lack of evidence". tucson.com. Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.

[76] Fischer, Howard (August 1, 2023). "Republican Mark Finchem drops appeal of 2022 loss in Arizona election". tucson.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.

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Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Debate

Polling

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Debate

Polling

Results

General election

Debate

Predictions

Post-primary endorsements

Polling

Results

By county

By congressional district

Post-election legal challenge

Notes

References

External links

関連するトピック

run for governor

Democrat

Maricopa County

Adrian Fontes