In 2022, Alan Smith ran as a write-in candidate for the Democratic party to confront state senator Jake Hoffman. Hoffman was one of the 11 Arizona Republicans who backed a false electoral certificate claiming that Donald Trump won Arizona, despite President Biden’s victory by a margin of 10,457 votes.

“I didn’t want him to run unopposed. I wanted them to spend money and to face some challenges. I wanted him to have to justify his actions,” said Smith.

Unfortunately, he didn’t achieve that goal, as Hoffman chose not to engage in debates. Consequently, in 2024, Smith, 70, from Mesa, is running again, this time as the official Democratic candidate in a predominantly Republican district.

Smith represents a wave of candidates nationwide vying for local and state positions, aiming to oust Republicans who have unfoundedly disputed the results of the 2020 presidential election or obstructed the certification of subsequent elections.

Recently, Hoffman faced indictment by a state grand jury for endorsing the counterfeit electoral certificate sent to former Vice President Mike Pence, aimed at creating doubts about the validity of the Electoral College’s recognition of Joe Biden’s victory. This “fake elector” strategy, which involved various states, was an approach to enable Trump to challenge his 2020 election defeat. Hoffman has pled not guilty and remarked that the investigation is a “political witch hunt” and a “blatant effort to manipulate the government and interfere with this November’s presidential election.”

“I’ve been told that Democrats have no chance of winning in this district, but I strongly believe we should contest every election,” stated Smith, adding that Hoffman’s indictment enhances his chances of success.

Hoffman is among the 18 individuals indicted by a grand jury as part of the Arizona attorney general’s continuous investigation regarding the “fake elector” scheme. Last month, Arizona Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen set a trial date for January 5, 2026, for the defendants, which include former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Trump himself is mentioned in the indictment as a co-conspirator without formal charges.

One of the defendants has pleaded guilty, while another has agreed to cooperate in exchange for having their charges dropped.

Attempts to contact Hoffman for a comment went unanswered.

Smith elaborated on several policy reasons for his challenge against Hoffman, but he emphasized that the electoral certificate issue is his primary motivation.

“He disregarded how the people of Arizona voted. He insisted that Trump had won the state, despite all court cases being dismissed,” Smith expressed.

With Democrats just one seat short in the Arizona Senate, flipping this historically Republican district, which encompasses parts of Mesa and various suburbs east of Phoenix, could result in a deadlock in the chamber.

Smith garnered 33,000 votes, accounting for 35%, when he previously ran as a write-in candidate.

In the 2022 election, Smith ran as a write-in candidate against Hoffman, who secured around 60,000 votes, translating to approximately 65% of the total. Smith believes that the election results and the allegations against the fake electors give him an opportunity. He expresses that he is appealing not only to Democrats and independents but also to Republican voters.

“People are frustrated with his fake elector scheme,” Smith stated. “Even among Republicans, there’s discontent toward Jake Hoffman.”

Smith noted that due to his age, he won’t pursue another campaign if he loses this one. However, he mentioned that local Democrats have cultivated a pool of potential candidates interested in running for the position in the future.

Elected Officials Who Are Facing Challenges

Smith and Banks represent just a few of the many candidates contesting against the 334 public officials—ranging from lieutenant governors to local boards responsible for certifying election results—in key swing states including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Many of these officials have either denied election outcomes, attempted to overturn results, or made statements that undermine the electoral process. Public Wise, a nonprofit organization focused on fostering representative democracy, identified these officials earlier this year.

Several candidates YSL News interviewed acknowledged the challenges they face in winning these typically Republican-dominated seats. Nevertheless, they all emphasized the importance of holding these incumbents accountable.

“Having challengers in races against election deniers helps keep them in check,” explained Lauren Gepford, executive director of Contest Every Race, a group dedicated to ensuring Democratic representation in various electoral contests. The organization has recently endorsed several such candidates. “Our belief is that these incumbents will be less inclined to promote conspiracy theories about election denial, viewing it as a losing strategy rather than a tactic to attract their base.”

To emphasize the individuals contesting these local and state officials, Contest Every Race announced endorsements for 42 candidates earlier this month, all running against officials who question the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results.

“For our first endorsements, our primary focus was on areas where the electoral impact could be significant. We aimed particularly at candidates opposing election deniers or those running in seats historically held by them, as we believe unchecked election deniers contribute to greater extremism,” Gepford shared with YSL News.

Gepford, who previously held the position of executive director for the Missouri Democratic Party, noted that Democrats had often resigned themselves to abandoning hard-to-win seats, redirecting efforts toward protecting their existing positions and seeking easier victories. Contest Every Race was established to counter this trend, foster a network of Democratic candidates, and provide support in challenging political territories. They offer training, mentorship, and financial aid to those they recruit for local and state legislative races.

If Democrats avoid challenging candidates merely because they represent staunchly Republican districts, then the narratives they promote may go unexamined or remain largely unheard, Gepford insisted.

“Consider what happens when there’s an unopposed candidate on your ballot—does that election get much attention? Rarely,” she explained. “But when there’s a competitive race, which involves two candidates, it encourages debates, media coverage, and brings issues into the public eye much more effectively.”

Refusal to Certify

Joy Banks, at 70 years old, felt a deep sense of distress watching as two Republican supervisors in Cochise County, Arizona, opted not to certify the 2022 midterm election results, even though there was no legitimate evidence undermining the vote count. The supervisors cited concerns over the county’s election equipment, which state authorities had confirmed was adequately tested and certified.

“It was shocking, and the situation drew immense attention, leaving us feeling completely powerless. We thought, ‘Will no one stand up and do something?’” Banks recounted. “This situation profoundly upset me.”

Eventually, after several weeks, a judge mandated that the Republican supervisors, Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, certify the election outcomes. Both individuals face charges from Arizona’s attorney general for conspiracy and obstructing the duties of an election officer. Crosby and Judd have pleaded not guilty and are currently attempting to have the charges dismissed.

“The Republican Party in Cochise County has completely shattered my trust in their ability to act lawfully and honorably,” Banks expressed.

Previously serving in a nonpartisan role on the Huachuca City Council, Banks had considered running for higher office. With Cochise County being thrust into the national spotlight, she felt compelled to make a run herself, if only to make a statement and express her views during the campaign.

Now, she is the Democratic nominee for the traditionally Republican 3rd District County Supervisor position, facing off against both a Republican candidate and two independents. One of the independents is a well-liked former sheriff, and Banks hopes that his candidacy will divide the Republican support.

“Unfortunately, my main platform point is a simple one: I will follow the law,” she said.

Crosby has opted not to comment, while Judd did not respond to a request for her input.

The sparsely populated county along the U.S. southern border is predominantly Republican. Banks acknowledges it is a long shot but feels a wave of enthusiasm among Democrats as the 2024 election approaches.

Even though Judd is not seeking reelection, Crosby is favored to secure another term. Banks is aiming for one of the two available seats in this election.

YSL News reported that former state senator Antenori mentioned that the two Republican commissioners who attempted to prevent the certification might have yielded to pressure in 2022. However, he insists that it is unfair to judge him or all Republicans universally. Antenori emphasized that he would adhere to the law.

“If I had been on the board back then, I would have certified the canvas without hesitation. The law clearly states that certification is necessary unless there is evidence of significant, verifiable fraud,” he explained to YSL News.

January 6, 2021

Cameron Schroy, 28, a high school civics teacher from Greencastle, Pennsylvania, became increasingly frustrated watching Doug Mastriano, a right-wing state senator widely recognized for disputing President Biden’s 2020 election victory in Pennsylvania.

Mastriano facilitated a lengthy public discussion regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election, attended by Trump’s legal team, with Trump participating remotely. He also contributed to the initiative in Pennsylvania to submit a false slate of electors to Congress.

On January 6, 2021, Mastriano was present at Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally, orchestrated transportation for attendees to Washington, and appeared at the Capitol during the chaotic clashes between rioters and police. Although he was set to address the crowd on the Capitol steps, he claimed the following day that “Once it became clear that this was no longer a peaceful protest, my wife and I vacated the area.”

This spring, the Pennsylvania Senate ethics committee decided not to investigate a complaint concerning Mastriano’s actions to overturn the 2020 election filed by another senator.

Although Mastriano lost his bid for governor as the Republican candidate in 2022, he remains in the state Senate. Schroy decided he could no longer teach his students about democracy without taking action to defend it himself.

“As a civics teacher who discusses democracy and the principles of governance with my students, I felt compelled to challenge the most dangerous member of the Pennsylvania State Senate,” Schroy stated to YSL News. “He needs to be held accountable for his January 6 actions.”

The chairman of the Franklin County Democratic Committee stepped up to contest Mastriano for a Pennsylvania Senate seat when no other Democrats expressed interest.

“Systematic voter fraud is not a problem in the U.S.; it’s like protesting against Santa Claus,” Schroy commented, referring to the disproven claims from Trump and his supporters about illegal voting benefitting Biden.

Mastriano did not respond to requests for comments.

Democrats regularly campaign in the district, which includes parts of Adams and Franklin Counties in south-central Pennsylvania, even though Republican voters make up a majority. Schroy noted that local dissatisfaction with Mastriano’s continuous attempts for higher office presented him with an opportunity.

“I believe everyone, regardless of the position from dog catcher to the president, deserves a choice on their ballot,” Schroy expressed.

Schroy argued that accepting the belief that the 2020 election was stolen, despite a lack of evidence for widespread fraud or misconduct, should disqualify someone from public office since officials need to differentiate between reality and falsehoods.

“If you cannot accept the facts regarding the election, how will you approach other matters, like addressing the deficit?” Schroy questioned. “Will you simply disregard the fact that tax revenues are insufficient, and spending is excessive? How will you tackle these issues if you’re unable to acknowledge reality?”