‘It’s a stone around your neck’: Arizona Republicans once again nominate 2020 election deniers

Three Arizona Republicans—Andy Biggs, Alexander Kolodin, and Warren Petersen—have secured nominations in their respective state-level primaries, all firmly believing the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. Biggs, a staunch Trump ally who previously aided the election overturn attempts on January 6, 2021, is now vying for governor.

Kolodin, who represented a fake elector slate and faced disciplinary action, aims to become secretary of state. Meanwhile, Petersen, who launched a taxpayer-funded audit into Maricopa County’s election system, seeks the attorney general position. This victory showcases the GOP primary voters' continued preference for candidates promoting false election narratives or attempting to alter them.

However, these positions could prove detrimental in the November general election, where election denialism is seen as a "stone around your neck," particularly among independents and moderate Republicans. Former Republican Representative Matt Salmon emphasized that while these views benefit candidates in primaries, they become a liability in the general election.

Despite this, each of the triumphant candidates centered election integrity in their 2026 campaign platforms, with Biggs supporting the stalled SAVE America Act, Kolodin advocating for stricter voting requirements, and Petersen pledging to expand the attorney general’s election integrity unit. Arizona's history of being a competitive and contested state in elections, particularly in 2020, has made it a focal point for Trump's efforts to overturn the results.

Despite their primary victories, these election deniers have not been a successful strategy for the Arizona GOP in recent years. In 2022, the party nominated other hardline election deniers, but all lost their races. In 2024, one of their candidates, Kari Lake, also lost her U.S. Senate bid. Democrats, such as Governor Katie Hobbs, are poised to capitalize on these election deniers' positions, positioning themselves as symbols of confidence and stability in the state's election system.