Election Denial Candidates in 2026: A Strategic Shift
An analysis by States United Action reveals that 53 candidates who deny the validity of the 2020 election results are running for key statewide offices across 23 states in the upcoming 2026 elections.
These candidates are vying for positions as secretary of state, governor, or attorney general in 39 states holding elections. The races include five critical presidential swing states: Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan.
Defining an Election Denier
The analysis categorizes a candidate as an election denier if they meet at least one of five criteria, including:
- Falsely claiming that Donald Trump won the 2020 election
- Supporting efforts to undermine election results after audits and legal challenges had concluded
Key Battleground States
Arizona stands out as a hotspot for election-denying candidates, with contenders running for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Andy Biggs, the front-runner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, notably voted against certifying Arizona's 2020 election results.
In Georgia and Michigan—both pivotal swing states—candidates who deny the election results are also running for secretary of state and governor.
"The goal is to provide voters with accurate information about candidates' positions on election integrity."
— Joanna Lydgate, CEO of States United Action
A Notable Decline
Lydgate observed that the number of election deniers running has decreased compared to recent election cycles. She attributes this shift to candidates recognizing that denying election results may be a poor campaign strategy, particularly in competitive races.
Brendan Fischer of the Campaign Legal Center added context, noting that while election deniers represent a small minority overall, "they are an organized interest group within Republican politics."
Historical Context
The 2020 election saw officials from both parties face intense pressure from Trump and his allies to alter the results. Secretaries of state in Georgia and Michigan notably resisted that pressure.
An NPR analysis following the 2022 midterms found that Republican secretary of state candidates who denied the 2020 election generally underperformed other GOP candidates in competitive states. States United Action's own analysis of the 2022 election estimated a penalty of roughly 3 percentage points for candidates who embraced election denial.