Former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes launches bid to become Arizona’s Next Secretary of State

With incumbent Secretary of State Katie Hobbs running for Governor, former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes has declared his intention to succeed her in the 2022 elections.

The Maricopa County Recorder from 2017 to 2021, Mr. Fontes oversaw the modernization of that office and, despite the COVID 19 pandemic, presided over one of the highest voter turnouts in recent electoral history.

If he wins his party’s nomination, he will face either Shawna Bolick, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, or Mark Finchem, three individuals that have publicly articulated their positions on the need to suppress voter turnout. Mr. Finchem, as the video illustrates, was present at the January 6, 2021, Domestic Terrorist Attack on the Nation’s Capital and he was not telling the rioters to stop.

If elected, Mr. Fontes would make the Secretary of State’s office a beacon for voter education and continue to support all local education officials.

Mr. Fontes graciously took the time to discuss his candidacy.

The questions and his responses are below.

 

1) What are two to three reasons you are running for Arizona Secretary of State?

 “My career has been dedicated to public service and I have been protecting the constitution my whole life as a marine, prosecutor, and county recorder. As a recorder, I helped expand democracy, making it easier for citizens to vote which led to the historic turnout in Maricopa County in 2020.  That was the proudest moment of my career.”

2) If elected, what would be your top three priorities as Secretary of State?

• “The office of Secretary of State must serve a vital support role for local election officials, boards of supervisors, and local election officials. That means functioning as an election advisor,  coordinator, regulator, and trustee for county recorders.
• To serve the public as a trusted repository of records and making it easier for the public to access the services provided by the Secretary of State’s office.
• To be a trusted source of information for the public. Our elections work best when the voters know how, when, and where to vote. Using that bully pulpit for voter education is of the utmost importance.”

3) What are at least two reasons voters should pick you over the other candidates running for Secretary of State?

“I am ready for the job on day one. I am CERA certified. I have actually run elections. We have revolutionized the second-largest voting district in the country and had the largest turnout in 2020 in spite of all the challenges presented by the global pandemic. The results of the election in Maricopa County have been scrutinized and scrutinized again, and they stand up.  I will put an objective analysis of my work up against anyone in the legislature.”

4) Based on the Republican enabling of the BIg 2020 Election Lie through members of the legislature and what is going on in Veterans Memorial Colosseum, to what extent do you think it will be difficult to restore voter trust across the political spectrum?

“There is no doubt that a lot of damage has been done.  But I can think of no endeavor more worthwhile than restoring the public trust in our government and our elections.  Sure it will be a challenge, but that challenge is made easier when you’re going up against people with zero credibility.”

5) Is there anything not covered in the first four questions that you would like the voters to know about you and your candidacy for Secretary of State? Please explain.

 “My family has been in this neighborhood of the world for centuries. It is home.  My great-grandmother sent five sons to World War Two. Two of them were not citizens. This election is not just a career opportunity for me. I believe deeply in the American Experiment, and I believe in serving the public because it’s in my blood.  I am not afraid to stand up to the traitors and seditionists in our midst if it means protecting our democracy.  A few slings and arrows from the likes of them is not enough to deter me.”

Please click on the below social media sites for more information on Mr. Fontes and his candidacy for Secretary of State.

https://electfontes.com/

https://twitter.com/Adrian_Fontes

https://www.facebook.com/ElectFontes/