Former Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda says she’s considering running for secretary of state instead of Congress.
Swoboda is one of two candidates who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement in Congressional District 1, which encompasses Cave Creek, Fountain Hills and part of Scottsdale. But on Tuesday, she filed a statement of interest to run for secretary of state instead.
It’s not a declaration that she’s running, but it’s a step that would-be candidates must take.
“I’ve had a lot of people reaching out. Exploring my options. Elections has always been a passion for me. I love that office,” Swoboda said of the secretary of state’s race in a text.
If Swoboda runs, she would leave former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely as the lone Trump-endorsed Republican in CD1.
In the secretary of state’s race, Swoboda would face fellow Republican Alexander Kolodin.
Kolodin is a state representative and a member of the state Legislature’s Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republicans who’ve repeatedly butted heads with Swoboda’s leadership of the AZGOP.
Whichever Republican wins the primary election will go on to face Democratic incumbent Adrian Fontes in the November general election.
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