Gina Swoboda explains why she is now running for Arizona Secretary of State, not a CD1 seat

PHOENIX — Former Arizona GOP Chair Gina Swoboda has officially shifted gears to running for the state’s Secretary of State after being in the race for a U.S. House seat from the 1st Congressional District (CD1).

She filed a statement of interest for secretary of state on Feb. 4 and on Friday revealed her new campaign website.

Swoboda will need signatures to appear on the ballot of the July 21 primary election alongside fellow Republican Alex Kolodin. Democrat Adrian Fontes is the current Arizona secretary of state, and is the lone potential candidate running for his party.

The 56-year-old explained her decision Friday on KTAR News’ Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos, saying she used the same rationale as Republican Karrin Taylor Robson, who suspended her campaign for Arizona governor Thursday.

“It’s a crowded field with dual endorsement (from President Donald Trump) and people spending money against each other and beat each other up all the way through the primary,” Swoboda said. “I don’t think I’m needed in CD1. I do think I’m desperately needed in the Arizona Secretary of State’s primary.”

While she said she respects Fontes, Swoboda expressed that a lack of willingness to cooperate with federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) and not being accountable for actions are areas the office needs to address.

She cited how E-Qual, a state system that allows voters to securely sign a candidate’s nomination petition, recently shut down because it incorrectly displayed 2025 as the primary year on the live website.

“(The Arizona Secretary of State) needs to test it in staging,” Swoboda said. “That’s why we test. We don’t do things live in production, ladies and gentleman. Take responsibility, say, ‘You know what? We messed that up.’ Instead, I hear, ‘Well, the legislature didn’t give me enough money, and I’m dealing with these very old systems.’

“‘Yes, you are. And that’s because you can’t get along with the legislature. So, you cannot get the appropriation.'”

The potential candidate to challenge Fontes in turn said she will be able to “get along with whoever I have to” to make key impacts in the Grand Canyon State.

Former Chair for the AZGOP @GinaSwoboda joined @TheBruceStJames & @GaydosKTAR to explain why she is running for Arizona secretary of state.

Swoboda shares what she thinks is missing from the office right now and how she would work across the aisle if elected. pic.twitter.com/7lbJVG4Gkj

— Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on KTAR News 92.3 (@OutspokenKTAR) February 14, 2026

Gina Swoboda’s stance on voter ID, elections in Arizona

“(Elections) will look like exactly what the voters of Arizona vote for it to look like,” Swoboda said of elections if she is elected. “We have proof of citizenship to register to vote. We are progenitors of that.

“I think Arizona is a model for what works.”

“I think Arizona is a model for what works.”

Gina Swoboda, who officially announced her campaign for Arizona Secretary of State Friday, provided her stance on voter ID and elections with @OutspokenKTAR. pic.twitter.com/rVgH33Sgqj

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) February 14, 2026

The Secretary of State candidate said she is a mail-in ballot supporter and thinks it’s a “efficacious” way of voting for ballot counters.

Swoboda added that ultimately it is up to the people to choose their manner of voting. State Democrats have an initiative that protects voting by mail and Republicans a constitutional amendment to protect the voting style.

“The voters are going to come to the ballot in 2026, and they’re going to have a chance to tell us what they want because it has to be what they want,” Swoboda said.

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