FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday August 5, 2022
Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON D.C. — After Adrian Fontes secured the Democratic nomination and Mark Finchem became the Republican nominee for Arizona Secretary of State, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State (DASS) released the following statement:
“Adrian Fontes is the dedicated public servant that Arizonans deserve as their next Secretary of State. A Marine Corps veteran and former prosecutor, Adrian has long fought for underserved communities. As the previous Recorder for Maricopa County – the first Latino to ever hold that position – Adrian ushered in a suite of reforms and innovations that professionalized the agency, overhauled an obsolete voting system, and used vote tracking tools to shine light on Donald Trump’s Big Lie. Adrian’s story is one that is rooted in making elections more accessible for Arizonans, and his depth of experience is desperately needed as the Grand Canyon State continues to face some of the most aggressive anti-democratic attacks in the nation.
“At a time when MAGA extremists are posing existential threats to our democracy through new voter suppression laws, lies and conspiracy theories, and extreme anti-democratic candidates, Arizonans need a Secretary of State with the integrity, courage, and expertise to fight for equal access to the ballot box and protect Arizona’s elections.
“Mark Finchem is a threat to American democracy. An election denier that has embraced fringe organizations like QAnon, Finchem will make it harder to vote, destabilize Arizona’s election, and help destabilize the country. Finchem helped organize the January 6th insurrection on the United States Capitol, and is unfit to serve as Secretary of State.