1 Overview

What we are tracking:

Announced and/or filed candidates running for Governor 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.

2 By the Numbers

There are 36 Governor contests in 2022.

As of June 6, 2022, at least 35 Election Deniers are running for Governor in 20 states. This means that more than half of Governor contests include an Election Denier.

3 Governor Races in 2022

3.1 Governor Candidates

The table below includes the list of candidates that are actively running for Governor in 2022 as of June 6, 2022. The table contains candidate name, party, and whether they’ve been coded as an Election Denier using the methodology section above.

*Candidates with open filings from a past election cycle that do not appear to be actively running are not included in the tracker. Actively running means that a candidate has announced they are running and/or has an active website and/or has recent filings or activity relating to the 2022 cycle as of October 2021.

Party Key

D = Democrat
R = Republican
C = Constitution
G = Green
L = Libertarian
O = Other party or no party

4 Election Deniers

This section includes press statements, news coverage including comments, or social media posts by Secretary of State Election Denier candidates.


4.3 Alaska - Christopher Kurka

Campaign Website

4.7 California - Major Williams

4.8 California - Daniel Mercuri

Campaign Website

4.9 California - Leo Zacky

4.12 Florida - John Mercadante

4.21 Michigan - Garrett Soldano

4.22 Nevada - Eddie Hamilton

4.23 Nevada - John Lee

4.27 Oklahoma - Mark Sherwood

Mark Sherwood campaign’ website:

4.28 Oregon - Paul Romero

4.32 Wisconsin - Adam Fischer