What we are tracking:
Announced and/or filed candidates running for Secretary of State in 2022. We will be updating this tracker throughout the 2022 election cycle.
Methodology:
To qualify as an Election Denier, a candidate must meet one or more of the criteria below:
Falsely claimed former President Trump won the 2020 election instead of the legitimate winner, President Joe Biden.
Spread lies about the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election in public fora, including in social media, press statements, and/or comments to press.
Called for a “forensic audit” of the 2020 presidential election after the results were certified and/or officially audited and/or stood up to multiple legal challenges.
Promoted conspiracies about the 2020 presidential election in public fora, including in social media, press statements, and/or comments to press.
Took actions to undermine the integrity of the 2020 presidential election, including: filed or supported litigation seeking to overturn the results; and/or promoted/participated in a Stop the Steal sponsored/branded event or rally.
There are 27 Secretary of State contests in 2022.
As of March 1, 2022, at least 22 Election Deniers are running for Secretary of States in 18 states. This means that 2 out of 3 Secretary of State contests include an Election Denier.
The table below includes the list of candidates that are actively running for Secretary of State in 2022 as of March 1, 2022. The table contains their name, party, and whether they’ve been coded as an Election Denier using the criteria outlined in the methodology section above.
*If a candidate has a filing from a past election but is not actively running, we do not count them. Actively running means that a candidate has announced they are running, has a website, or has a filing that has recent activity relating to this cycle as of October 2021.
This section includes press statements, news coverage including comments, or social media posts by Secretary of State Election Denier candidates.
Mother Jones: Donald Trump Invites QAnon Backer to Speak at His Upcoming Rally
AP News: Trump endorses ‘big lie’ proponents for state election posts
Arkansas Democrat Gazette: 3rd GOP candidate enters Arkansas Secretary of State race
4State News: Jan. 6: A day that should live in infamy. Republicans defend, even celebrate it. UPDATE
Newsweek: Full List of Republican Politicians Attending QAnon Convention in Las Vegas
CPR News: Mesa Clerk Tina Peters says she’s running for Secretary of State
Colorado Times Recorder: CO Republican Candidates Join Together in Promoting Election Conspiracies
Reuters: Special Report: Backers of Trump’s false fraud claims seek to control next elections
NY Times: Trump Endorses a Loyalist, Jody Hice, for Georgia Secretary of State
The Gardner News: BROWN ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE
MLive: Republican who challenged Michigan election results now running for Secretary of State
SD49 Republicans: Kim Crockett: Republicans Need Stronger Focus on Elections
News Channel Nebraska - River County: Schroder: throw voting machines away to keep elections honest
Las Vegas Review Journal: Marchant sets sights on secretary of state
AP News: Nevada GOP brings election complaints to secretary of state
VICE News: A QAnon Grifter Who Claims She Can Time Travel Is Running for Office in Ohio
Washington Post: Sidney Powell’s secret intelligence contractor witness is a pro-Trump podcaster
The Blade: Controversial podcaster files to run for Ohio’s top elections office
Reuters: Special Report: Backers of Trump’s false fraud claims seek to control next elections