Gina Swoboda files for Arizona secretary of state after previously campaigning for Congress

PHOENIX – The 2026 Republican game of primary election musical chairs continued on Tuesday, with former Arizona GOP leader Gina Swoboda apparently changing her focus.

Swoboda filed a statement of interest for secretary of state on Tuesday after initially campaigning for a U.S. House seat from the 1st Congressional District (CD1).

As of Tuesday afternoon, her campaign website still said Gina Swoboda for Congress.

Until now, state Rep. Alexander Kolodin was the only Republican to file a statement of interest for the secretary of state primary.

Incumbent Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Duwayne Collier has filed a statement of interest for the Green Party primary, although the party denied involvement with him.

Gina Swoboda had Trump’s endorsement for Congress

Swoboda was chair of the Arizona Republican Party when she entered the CD1 race in October with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. However, Trump gave Jay Feely a second endorsement in the contest after the former Arizona Cardinals kicker shifted over from the 5th Congressional District race.

Feely, a political newcomer, made his change after Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in CD5.

CD1 and CD5 are both up for grabs because the incumbents, Reps. David Schweikert and Andy Biggs, respectively, are running for governor this year.

Last week, Swoboda said during an appearance on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos she believes Trump has politically lost the argument on immigration enforcement.

“We can’t have American citizens being killed … so politically, you have lost the argument,” she said. “Law enforcement is in danger. The public is in danger. This can’t happen this way.”

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