Former AZGOP chair slams fellow Republican seeking secretary of state bid

Gina Swoboda says Mark Finchem 'is going to get destroyed' in general election against Democrat Adrian Fontes

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Former Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda is weighing whether to abandon her campaign for Congress and instead run for secretary of state. Swoboda says she's waiting to see if former President Donald Trump endorses her secretary of state bid, but time is running out as she needs to decide in the next week. Swoboda sharply criticized the lone Republican running for secretary of state, State Rep. Mark Kolodin, saying he lacks the temperament for the job and will be easily defeated by the Democratic incumbent, Adrian Fontes, in the general election.

Why it matters

The secretary of state race in Arizona is seen as a crucial contest, with the winner overseeing state elections. Swoboda's criticisms of Kolodin highlight the divisions within the Arizona Republican Party, with more moderate voices like Swoboda clashing with further-right candidates backed by groups like Turning Point USA and the Arizona Freedom Caucus.

The details

Swoboda, who previously worked in the secretary of state's office, says her 'heart is clearly with the secretary of state's job' and that she's 'missed it every day.' She was elected Arizona Republican Party chair two years ago after the previous chair, Jeff DeWit, resigned amid a scandal. Swoboda is currently running in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District seat, but her fundraising has lagged behind other candidates. Swoboda sharply criticized Kolodin, saying he lacks the 'temperament to run that office in an impartial way' and will be 'destroyed in the general election' by Fontes. Swoboda blamed Turning Point USA and the Arizona Freedom Caucus for backing Kolodin, saying their candidates are 'too far to the right for the voters of Arizona.'

  • Swoboda says she needs to decide whether to run for secretary of state in the next week.
  • Kolodin agreed to settle a disciplinary case brought by the State Bar of Arizona in 2023 after state regulators found four lawsuits he brought related to the 2020 election violated rules for attorneys.

The players

Gina Swoboda

Former chair of the Arizona Republican Party who is weighing a run for secretary of state instead of her current campaign for Congress.

Mark Kolodin

The lone Republican running for Arizona secretary of state, who Swoboda says lacks the temperament for the job and will be easily defeated by the Democratic incumbent.

Adrian Fontes

The Democratic incumbent Arizona secretary of state, who Swoboda believes will defeat Kolodin in the general election.

Donald Trump

The former president whose endorsement Swoboda is waiting to see if she will receive for her potential secretary of state bid.

Jeff DeWit

The previous chair of the Arizona Republican Party who resigned amid a scandal.

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What they’re saying

“I've got to get in in the next week or so, or I'm not getting in.”

— Gina Swoboda, Former Arizona Republican Party Chair (12news.com)

“I do not think he has the temperament to run that office in an impartial way. He's going to get destroyed in the general election by Secretary (Adrian) Fontes. Right now, we do not have a race, and we are conceding that office without even putting up a fight.”

— Gina Swoboda, Former Arizona Republican Party Chair (12news.com)

“I'm proud of my record defending the civil rights of Arizona voters as an attorney and State Representative, and have proven that I'm more than capable of working across the aisle with members of all political parties to continually improve Arizona elections.”

— Mark Kolodin, State Representative (12news.com)

What’s next

Swoboda says she needs to decide whether to run for secretary of state in the next week in order to get in the race.

The takeaway

The secretary of state race in Arizona has become a battleground within the state's Republican Party, with more moderate voices like Swoboda clashing with further-right candidates backed by conservative groups. The outcome could have major implications for the administration of future elections in the state.