From Arizona to Wisconsin, election deniers are vying for office nationwide

As the 2020 presidential election saw Donald Trump lose to Joe Biden, numerous Republican candidates across the United States are questioning or outright denying the legitimacy of the results. In swing states like Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, at least one major Republican candidate for governor or secretary of state has raised doubts about the 2020 election outcomes.

In Arizona, US Representative Andy Biggs voted against certifying the state's election results, while Tom Tiffany, a Republican gubernatorial hopeful in Wisconsin, made a similar decision. Candidates running for governor in Pennsylvania and Michigan have also expressed skepticism about the validity of the 2020 election outcomes.

These election deniers hold significant positions in the US government. Governors, who sign off on state election results, can issue certificates to presidential electors and call for investigations or special sessions. They can also use their influence to cast doubt on election results. Secretaries of state, who are typically the chief election officials in most US states and oversee voting systems, may also play a role in certifying election results.

Although Trump pressured governors and secretaries of state in swing states to withhold their signatures in a campaign to overturn his loss in 2020, swing state officials refused to stall or impede the state's results. However, if election deniers or skeptics are elected to these key statewide roles in 2028, there is apprehension that they may refuse to sign off on results or succumb to pressure from Trump and his allies if Republicans lose.

None of the mentioned candidates have responded to inquiries from the Guardian about their current beliefs regarding the 2020 election or their stance on certifying the 2028 results.