Election denial, voter ID dominate combative Arizona secretary of state debate

Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Republican challenger Alexander Kolodin traded personal attacks during a contentious televised debate Monday, clashing over election integrity, mail-in voting and voter confidence in their first face-to-face encounter.

The “Candidates in Conversation” forum on Arizona PBS turned heated immediately when moderator Ted Simons asked a simple question: “Are Arizona elections safe and secure?”

Fontes, seeking a second term as the state’s chief elections officer, didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely. They’ve been safe and secure for a long time,” he said, crediting the county officials, retired teachers and veterans who administer elections statewide.

Kolodin, a state representative and election law attorney, refused to answer directly despite being asked three times. He said voter confidence is at an all-time low and blamed Fontes.

“He is a radical,” Kolodin said. “(Fontes) is far outside the mainstream.”

Adrian Fontes labels Alex Kolodin “the architect” of debunked election lies

Kolodin was the local attorney in the failed “kraken” lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results, for which he was disciplined by the State Bar.

“You’re like the arsonist who causes the fire and says you’re going to come in and cure things,” Fontes said.

Simons also pressed Kolodin three times about whether he is an election denier. Kolodin finally answered “no”.

The candidates sparred over Proposition 144, a Kolodin-backed ballot measure requiring government-issued ID for all voters. Fontes charged the measure as containing “sneaky lawyer tricks” that would gut mail-in voting.

Kolodin called that a lie.

The winner will certify Arizona’s 2028 presidential election results. A Clean Elections Commission debate with the secretary of state candidates is scheduled for Sept. 30.

Early voting begins Oct. 7.

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