Secretary of State Races in 2022
States United Action
Last Updated: July 28, 2022
1 Overview
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.
2 By the Numbers
There are 27 Secretary of State contests in 2022.
As of July 28, 2022, at least 20 Election Deniers are running for Secretary of States in 16 states. This means that more than half of Secretary of State contests include an Election Denier.
3 Secretary of State Races in 2022
The table below includes the list of candidates that are actively running for Secretary of State in 2022 as of July 28, 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.
*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.
4.1 Alabama - Wes Allen
4.2 Arizona - Shawnna Bolick
4.3 Arizona - Mark Finchem
Mother Jones: Donald Trump Invites QAnon Backer to Speak at His Upcoming Rally
AP News: Trump endorses ‘big lie’ proponents for state election posts
4.4 Connecticut - Dominic Rapini
Article linked to in the post above - Newsmax: Trump: ‘Thousands of Noncitizens Voted in Nevada’
4.5 Indiana - Diego Morales
Associated Press: Ex-Pence aide seeks Indiana elections office that fired him
4.6 Kansas - Mike Brown
The Gardner News: BROWN ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE
Facebook Video: Mike Brown for Secretary Of State
4.7 Massachusetts - Rayla Campbell
4.8 Michigan - Kristina Karamo
The Atlantic: The Election Denier Who Could Run Michigan’s Elections
MLive: Republican who challenged Michigan election results now running for Secretary of State
4.9 Minnesota - Erik van Mechelen
Campaign Website: In The Works
Midwest
Seeds: Why Did You Enter the Race so Late?
Midwest Seeds: Elected Officials in Crow Wing Seem Unimpressed by 2000 Mules
Midwest Seeds: A Brief History of Machines
Midwest Seeds: A future where every voter’s vote is counted and 100% auditable immediately
4.10 Minnesota - Steve Carlson
4.11 Minnesota - Kim Crockett
SD49 Republicans: Kim Crockett: Republicans Need Stronger Focus on Elections
4.12 Nevada - Jim Marchant
NBC News: Election denier Jim Marchant wins Nevada Republican secretary of state primary
Las Vegas Review Journal: Marchant sets sights on secretary of state
AP News: Nevada GOP brings election complaints to secretary of state
4.13 New Mexico - Audrey Trujillo
Vice News: Election-Denier Who Tweeted Weird Things About Jews Nominated by GOP
NYTimes: In Races to Run Elections, Candidates Are Backed by Key 2020 Deniers
4.14 Ohio - Terpsichore Maras-Lindeman
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
4.15 Rhode Island - Anne Armstrong
4.16 Vermont - H. Brooke Paige
4.17 Washington - Tamborine Borrelli
MyNorthwest: Judge throws out latest lawsuit levying claims of election fraud in Washington
Associated Press: WA Democrats ask courts to dismiss election lawsuits
The Seattle Times: Lawsuits claiming 2020 ballots were manipulated come to WA
Tri-City Herald: Judge tosses Franklin lawsuit claiming 2020 voting fraud. Ballots won’t be released
4.18 Wisconsin - Jay Schroeder
Reuters: Special Report: Backers of Trump’s false fraud claims seek to control next elections
4.19 Wisconsin - Justin Schmidtka
