Alexander Kolodin, an Arizona attorney who was involved in legal efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, secured the Republican nomination for Arizona secretary of state on Tuesday, setting up a high-stakes fall contest against Democratic incumbent Adrian Fontes.

Kolodin's victory came with the backing of former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him as part of a broader show of strength in Arizona's Republican primaries. Trump-aligned candidates performed well across several races in the state, reflecting his continued grip on the Arizona GOP.

The secretary of state's office in Arizona holds significant authority over election administration, including certifying results and overseeing the state's voting infrastructure. The position drew national attention in 2020 and 2022 due to Arizona's role as a key battleground state, and the 2026 race is expected to be closely watched by both parties.

Fontes, who won the office in 2022, is expected to highlight Kolodin's involvement in post-2020 election challenges as a central theme of the general election campaign. Kolodin has framed his candidacy around election integrity concerns that resonate with the Republican base.

Democrats avoided a significant primary upset of their own, keeping the general election matchup intact for what is expected to be a competitive fall race in a state that has trended toward competitiveness in recent election cycles.