As part of Arizona PBS’ ongoing “AZ Votes 2026” election coverage initiative, a series titled “Candidates in Conversation,” we were joined by the candidates running for Arizona Secretary of State, the incumbent Adrian Fontes (D) and Arizona Representative Alexander Kolodin (R).
Secretary Fontes and Representative Kolodin discussed existing Arizona election systems and their respective plans going forward.
Secretary Fontes is an attorney and former prosecutor. He served as Maricopa County Recorder from 2016 until his election as Secretary of State in 2022.
Secretary Fontes’ campaign website said, “As Recorder, Secretary Fontes revolutionized the election system by ensuring that every eligible Arizonan had the access they needed to vote. Adrian enhanced ballot tracking technology and increased process transparency.”
Representative Kolodin was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2022. Previously, he practiced law and was involved in multiple election-related lawsuits.
In a statement, Representative Kolodin said, “Arizonans are sick and tired of Adrian Fontes’ mismanagement of our election system [and are] ready for world-class elections that Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike can be proud of.”
Kolodin furthered his stance in the conversation stating that election confidence is at an all-time low, and his objective is to restore elections so they are lawful, secure, transparent and honest. Fontes, however, says that is just not true citing Noble Predictive Insights numbers that said voter confidence is up 12% since 2021.
When it comes to who is in charge of elections, Fontes made it clear that the role of the federal government in elections is very limited by the Constitution.
“It is a time, place and manner duty of the states, and Congress has a role. The administration does not have a role,” Fontes said. “The limited role that the executive branch has really is only to complement what the states and Congress allow.”
In the question of the federal government’s role in elections, Kolodin says that he would follow suit with what the courts demand.
“I follow the ruling of the courts,” Kolodin said. “The courts have ruled that the information, right now, is not to be given. If the Supreme Court changes that, I’ll follow that ruling too.”
