Why It Matters
Candidates who have disputed past election results are running for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general positions in 23 states this year, including five presidential swing states. These offices carry direct authority over election administration, certification, and legal oversight. The outcome of these races will shape how the 2028 presidential election and future contests are managed at the state level.
A new analysis identifies at least 53 candidates who have denied election results now seeking statewide positions with election oversight responsibilities across 39 states holding such races in 2026.
What Happened
States United Action, a nonprofit focused on election integrity, released findings showing that candidates who have challenged the validity of prior election outcomes are competing for key state offices in nearly half of U.S. states. The organization has tracked candidate positions on election results since 2022.
To qualify for the designation, candidates must meet at least one of five criteria. These include falsely claiming former President Trump was the rightful winner in 2020 or supporting efforts to overturn results after audits and legal challenges concluded.
In Arizona, candidates who denied election results are running for all three critical statewide positions: governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Republican gubernatorial front-runner Andy Biggs voted against certifying the 2020 election results while serving in the U.S. House. He also contacted a state lawmaker to explore additional methods of challenging the process.
Michigan and Georgia, both presidential swing states, will elect new secretaries of state and governors this year. Both states currently have candidates in their races who have disputed election outcomes. In 2020, officials in these states faced pressure to alter results but declined. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger refused a request to locate additional votes, while Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faced armed protesters at her residence.
By the Numbers
The analysis covers 39 states holding elections for positions that interact with election administration. Of those, 23 states include candidates who have denied election results. At least 53 such candidates are running for governor, secretary of state, or attorney general. Five presidential swing states are among those with election-denying candidates on the ballot.
The number of election deniers running in statewide races has declined compared to recent cycles. States United estimates that candidates who denied the 2020 election results underperformed other Republican candidates by roughly 3 percentage points in competitive states during the 2022 midterms.
Zoom Out
Secretary of state positions gained prominence in 2020 when state officials faced pressure to influence election outcomes. These offices typically oversee voter registration, ballot counting procedures, and result certification. Governors in many states also hold certification authority or appoint election board members. Attorneys general interpret and enforce state election laws.
The decline in election-denying candidates is attributed to electoral consequences in competitive races. Candidates who ran on platforms challenging election integrity faced voter penalties in recent cycles. However, candidates in states with strong partisan leanings or crowded primaries continue to dispute past results, particularly those seeking endorsements from former President Trump.
What’s Next
Primary elections for these statewide positions will take place throughout 2026, with general elections in November. The outcome will determine who holds authority over election administration and certification during the 2028 presidential election. Voter decisions in swing states will carry particular weight, as those states typically decide presidential contests and face heightened scrutiny over election procedures.