Adrian Fontes Pledges to Protect Democracy as Arizona Secretary of State; Asks the U.S. Attorney to Investigate Kelly Ward for Election Tampering

In a gathering with supporters and campaign volunteers, former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes held a campaign launching event for his candidacy to become Arizona’s next Secretary of State.

At the event, Mr. Fontes also revealed that he had sent a letter to Gary Restaino, the U.S. Attorney in the District of Arizona, requesting that he investigate the State Republican Chair Kelly Ward and the other false electors who supported Donald Trump and his big lies for election tampering.

Fontes Campaign Kicks Off

The event started with Mr. Fontes being introduced by three supporters: Arizona Veterans & Military Leadership Alliance member David Lucier, former Flagstaff City Councilman and Coconino County Supervisor Mel Hannah, and Marlene Woods, the widow of Grant Woods and the chairperson of the Fontes campaign.

On what is at stake and what electing Fontes would mean for Arizona Democracy, Mr. Lucier commented:

“Our Democracy is on the eve of destruction with agents of voter suppression…Voting rights should be entrusted to someone (Fontes) who shares our core values. Adrian has been fighting his entire life to protect Democracy.”

Mr. Hanna contented:

“By the people will not happen is we do not have a fair, open, and legitimate elections. We need to make sure that we have the right person heading up this state office (to make sure free and fair elections happen.)”

Mrs. Woods relayed:

”What we are facing is paramount. Our Democracy is at a breaking point here. Two dozen election deniers, including in Arizona (Trumpist Mark Finchem) are running for Secretary of State…This is the man who is going to stop that (the breaking of Democracy.)”

Woods also noted that a Fontes victory would be historic as he would be the first Latino to win the Arizona Secretary of State Office.

She ended her remarks commenting that her late husband, Grant Woods, the former Arizona Attorney General, supported Mr. Fontes.

Protecting Democracy is not just a Slogan

Speaking to those in the audience, Mr. Fontes reminded everyone that the slogan and pledge of his campaign is to “protect Democracy.”

He then said that it is not just a slogan and everything people want like good public schools,  health benefits like prescription drugs, and  a strong economy are all dependent on “the guarantee that all civilized men and women can conduct free and fair elections.”

Fontes calls for an Investigation of Kelly Ward and the other Republicans that may have engaged in election tampering in 2020. 

Calling attention to the “dark and sinister storm of authoritarianism gathering in the once anti authoritarian Republican Party” thanks to the “authoritarian bloodlust of one sore loser” (Donald Trump for those who needed verification,) Mr. Fontes told the audience that while “not all Republicans bend the knee, believe the big lie, and bear false witness, those that bear false witness, let justice be served.” 

He then revealed that a couple of hours before the event, he had sent a letter to Gary Restaino, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, asking him to investigate the 11 people who made the false certification that Donald Trump and Mike Pence had won the Grand Canyon State in the 2020 elections.

These individuals include the current head of the Arizona Republican Party Kelly Ward, United States Senate Candidate James Lannon, former State Representative Anthony Kearn, and current LD 12 State Representative, Vice Chairperson of the House Government-Elections Committee, and accused troll farmer/election fraudster Jake Hoffman. 

At the conclusion of his letter to Mr. Restaino, Mr. Fontes wrote:

“I am formally recommending an investigation for possible criminal prosecution to the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, that this fraudulent slate of electors be prosecuted for the crimes listed above, and/or any other crimes which further investigation into this matter may reveal.

Toward the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Fontes stated:

“False witnesses who were malicious must be brought to justice. The party of law and order would so blatantly violate the law and order of our republic.”

Please click below to read the full letter Mr. Fontes sent to U.S. Attorney Restaino.