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TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO AZ VOTES, "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION."

A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT, WE CONTINUE OUR "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" WITH A DISCUSSION BETWEEN CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

SECRETARY OF STATE IS CONSIDERED ARIZONA'S CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER WITH ELECTION ADMINISTRATION AMONG THE OFFICES MOST NOTABLE RESPONSIBILITIES.

"CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" IS NOT A FORMAL DEBATE.

IT'S AN OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES.

AS SUCH, INTERJECTIONS AND OCCASIONAL INTERRUPTION ARE ALLOWED PROVIDED BOTH SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE.

JOINING US FOR TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, ALEX KOLODIN, ATTORNEY AND MEMBER OF THE ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND GINA SWOBODA, CERTIFIED ELECTIONS OFFICER AND FORMER CHAIR OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

CANDIDATES, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: GINA, START WITH YOU, THIS IS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

WHAT DO REPUBLICAN VOTERS IN ARIZONA WANT TO SEE FROM A SECRETARY OF STATE?

>> I THINK THEY WANT A COMPETENT ADMINISTRATOR WHO PROVIDES TRANSPARENCY, RELIABILITY AND EXPERIENCE.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, ALEX?

WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?

>> LOOK, TED, THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT TRUST IN OUR ELECTIONS HERE IN ARIZONA IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW, AND THAT'S BECAUSE ADRIAN FONTES HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RUN OUR ELECTIONS ACCORDING TO THE LAW.

WHAT THE VOTERS ARE LOOKING FOR IS FIRST AND FOREMOST, SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AND OPENNESS IN THEIR ELECTIONS.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THEM TO BE RUN IN AN HONORABLE FASHION THAT EVERY ARIZONA VOTER REGARDLESS OF PARTY CAN BE PROUD OF.

THEY'RE NOT GETTING THAT FROM ADRIAN FONTES, THEY WILL GET IT FROM ME.

TED: VOTERS IN THIS PRIMARY, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT ELECTIONS IN ARIZONA ARE RIGGED?

>> I THINK VOTERS IN THIS PRIMARY AND ACROSS THE STATE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH THE WAY THAT OUR ELECTIONS ARE ADMINISTERED.

ADRIAN FONTES IS NOT CAPABLE OF WRITING A LAWFUL ELECTIONS PROCEDURES MANUAL, AND THE JUDGES HAVE HAD RATHER CHOICE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT HIM.

IT'S NO WONDER THAT VOTERS IN THE STATE HAVE A DEFICIT OF CONFIDENCE IN BOTH OUR ELECTIONS AND CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICERS.

TED: DO THEY BELIEVE, THOUGH, THAT ELECTIONS IN ARIZONA HAVE BEEN, ARE BEING RIGED?

>> I THINK A LARGE PART OF THE BASE BELIEVES THAT.

I THINK WE HAD ISSUES DURING COVID IN 2020.

WE WERE OUTGUNNED LEGALLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, SO THE WAY I SAY IT IS WHEN PEOPLE SAY WAS IT STOLEN?

I SAY IT WAS STOLEN FAIR AND SQUARE.

WE WERE OUTMANEUVERED IN GEORGIA AND WISCONSIN, IN ARIZONA, WE HAD ISSUES WITH ADMINISTRATION, SOME OF IT CAME FROM THE MANUAL OF SECRETARY FONTES.

SOME CAME FROM CHANGES IN EQUIPMENT, BUT WE REVIEWED THEM.

WE'VE CHANGED THE STATUTES WHERE WE COULD.

WE HAVE GONE TO COURT AND REINED IN WHAT SECRETARY HOBBS AND SECRETARY FONTES DID IN THE MANUAL THAT HAD GAPS AND WE HAD A SUCCESSFUL ELECTION FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

TED: TRUE OR FALSE, ARIZONA ELECTIONS ARE WELL MANAGED WITH MINOR GLITCHES THIS DON'T EVEN REMOTELY AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF VOTES?

>> TODAY I BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE.

TED: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WAS ALWAYS TRUE?

>> NO.

I BELIEVE WE HAD GAPS IN THE SYSTEM, WE HAD EXCELLENT STAFF.

SO IF IT'S A YES OR NO, I WOULD SAY IT WAS MOSTLY ADMINISTERED WELL, BUT THERE ARE HUMANS ADMINISTERING THE ELECTIONS.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WAS INTENTIONAL, BUT HUMANS MAKE MISTAKES, THEY ARE FALLIBLE.

TED: AFFECTING THE OUTCOME OF THE RACES?

>> NO, BUT FOR EXAMPLE, ABE HAMADEH IN 2022, IF WE HAD NOT HAD A RECOUNT, WE WOULD NOT KNOW THE PINAL TABULATION SOFTWARE WASN'T CORRECT.

THERE WAS A DEFINITE SOFTWARE ISSUE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THAT ELECTION.

>> I HAVE TO INTERJECT HERE BECAUSE MY OPPONENT SAID SOMETHING I TAKE ISSUE WITH.

SHE MENTIONED THAT, IN HER OPINION, WE HAVE RESOLVED ALL THE DEFICITS WITH THE ELECTIONS PROCEDURES MANUAL.

THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

RIGHT NOW THE PIMA COUNTY GOP IS LITIGATING AGAINST MR.

FONTES BECAUSE HE TRIED TO TAKE AWAY VOTERS' RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH IN THE MANUAL.

PIMA COUNTY RECORDER WAS EXCLUDING LAWFUL OBSERVERS FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FROM THE EARLY IN-PERSON VOTE CENTERS.

MY OPPONENT OPPOSED ME IN THE EFFORT BUT EVEN KATIE HOBBS AGREED EXCLUDING THE OBSERVERS WAS SO ILLEGAL HE WAS NOT PERMITTED TO AUTHORIZE IT IN THE MANUAL AND FORCED TO TAKE IT OUT.

>> I DISAGREE.

>> IF WE DON'T HAVE OBSERVERS IN THE POLLING STATION, ARIZONANS CANNOT BE CONFIDENT IN THE ELECTIONS.

THAT'S WHY WE NEED A SECRETARY OF STATE THAT RESPECTS THE ROLE OF TRANSPARENCY.

TED: RESPOND, PLEASE?

>> IT WAS A BALLOT REPLACEMENT CENTER, THE COUNTY CHAIR HAD NOT REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTY RECORDER.

WE HAVE NEVER HAD OBSERVERS IN EARLY VOTING.

IT WAS NOT REQUIRED.

MY OPPONENT PASSED THE STATUTE TO REQUIRE IT AS PART OF MOVING THE PRIMARY UP, OKAY?

THE REASON WE HAD TO DO THAT IS IT WASN'T REQUIRED.

I'VE RUN THE OBSERVER PROGRAM SINCE 2020, AND MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE I'VE HAD OBSERVERS EVERYWHERE IN MARICOPA AND I DID THAT IN NEGOTIATION WITH NORTH SETS OF SUPERVISORS.

MANUAL THAT MR.

FONTES HAD TWO CYCLES AGO TRIED TO CENSOR OUR SPEECH, AND I GOT THE FUNDING FOR THE LITIGATION AND FARMED THAT OUT TO AMERICA FIRST POLICY.

I AM AWARE, WE WOULD ALL AGREE, THERE ARE ALWAYS ISSUES IN THE MANUAL.

THE QUESTION WAS THERE ARE ISSUES TODAY THAT WOULD AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION THAT COUNTIES ARE RUNNING THE ELECTIONS?

15 COUNTIES ARE RUNNING THE ELECTIONS.

WE JUST WON EVERYTHING THAT WAS WINNABLE IN 24.

>> I HAVE TO TAKE ISSUE AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS KATIE HOBBS THAT FORCED ADRIAN FONTES TO TAKE OUT THE UNLAWFUL PROVISION, A PROVISION THAT YOU SAID PUBLICLY ON X, WAS INDEED LAWFUL, BUT EVEN GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS DID NOT AGREE WITH YOU.

>> WHAT PROVISION ARE YOU REFERRING TO?

>> THE PROVISION GIVING COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICIALS, SPECIFICALLY THE RECORDER, DISCRETION TO EXCLUDE OBSERVERS FROM EARLY VOTING -- >> THAT WAS NOT CHANGED, WHAT WAS CHANGED WAS THERE HAD TO BE A LOCATION OPEN, THAT THE RECORDERS HAD TO OPEN LOCATIONS FOR EARLY VOTING.

PRIOR TO THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH REQUIREMENT THAT THERE HAD TO BE A PHYSICAL LOCATION.

>> YOU ARE MISLEADING THE VIEWERS.

I WAS THE GOP'S LAWYER, AND THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

THE REASON SHE TRIES TO HIDE FROM THIS IS THAT PROVISION CAME INTO THE EPM IN 2019 WHEN SHE WAS WORKING FOR KATIE HOBBS, AND SHE PROBABLY WROTE THAT PROVISION BECAUSE KATIE HOBBS WAS NOT RUNNING IN THAT ELECTION.

TED: DID YOU WRITE THE PROVISION?

>> NO BO DUEL WROTE IT.

I TYPED UP A LOT OF THE COMPLIMENTIS.

>> WOULD ASK WHY IS SHE THEN DEFENDING THE EXCLUSION OF POLITICAL PARTY OBSERVERS WHICH ARE LAWFULLY ENTITLED TO ATTEND, WHY IS SHE DEFENDING THAT.

THAT IS A RADICAL AND VERY, VERY FAR LEFT POSITION.

>> ARE YOU DOING THAT?

>> NO, I'M STATING WHAT THE LAW WAS AT THE TIME THAT THE RECORDER WASN'T CONTACTED, AND AS A RESULT OF PEOPLE, THEY TOOK FILM OF POLL WORKERS DOING THEIR JOBS, PUT IT ON TWITTER AND THAT LED TO DEATH THREATS.

THE PIMA COUNTY RECORDER ISSUED AN E-MAIL, AND DEATH THREATS WERE ISSUED AGAINST GOOD PEOPLE WORKING.

TED: WE CAN DO THE WHOLE HALF HOUR WHAT'S GOING ON IN PIMA COUNTY.

I WANT TO GO TO OTHER ISSUES, AND START WITH YOU, GINA, THE FACT YOU ORIGINALLY RAN FOR CONGRESS, NOW THIS OFFICE.

WHY THE CHANGE?

>> WELL, WE HAVE -- WE HAD TWO ENDORSED NOMINEES IN CD-1, AND I LOVE CD-1.

I LIVED THERE 31 YEARS.

I WAS ASKED TO GET IN.

WE HAD THREE WEEKS WITH NO ONE GETTING IN, AND THERE WAS SOMEONE TRYING TO GET IN THAT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE -- IN THE NICEST WAY, WOULD HAVE TANKED THE TICKET, OKAY?

I WAS ASKED TO GET IN, AND I DID, AND THEN WE HAD JAY FEELY GET IN.

HE HAS THE ENDORSEMENT.

NOW WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE WITH THE ENDORSEMENT.

THEN JOE CHAPLIK GOT IN FROM THE FREEDOM CAUCUS AND WE HAVE JOE AND JOHN AND JAY AND GINA, LIKE THE YEAR OF THE Ks THAT EVERYONE THAT RAN FOR GOVERNOR WAS A WOMAN WITH A K NAME.

I DON'T THINK YOU NEED ME WOULD AND LIKE TO GO WHERE MY HEART IS, AND THAT IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

TED: THE REPUBLICAN WING AGAINST YOU, TURNING POINT ALLIES ATTACKING YOU, DID THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR POSITION?

>> NO, IT IS A FACT THAT TURNING POINT ACTION DOES NOT LIKE ME AND I THINK THEY'VE DONE A HUGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE PARTY AND THE RACES.

TED: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> I MAKE OF IT THAT THE VOTERS OF CD-1 DID NOT WANT TO SEE HER ELECTED TO CONGRESS.

SHE LEFT THAT RACE IN A VERY TRAILING LAST PLACE, AND BEFORE THAT, SHE WAS GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION TO AZ GOP CHAIR, BUT TRIED TO EXCLUDE HER LEANING OPPONENT FROM THE RACE, FAILED ON THAT TEST VOTE, SO DID NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION FOR CHAIR.

ARIZONA VOTERS, YOU DO NOT WANT A SECRETARY OF STATE THAT TRIES TO KICK HER OPPONENT OFF THE BACHLT SO THEN AFTER ENDORSING ME, TED, SHE DECIDES SHE'S GOING TO RUN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE ANYWAY.

THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SOMEBODY WHO IS STABLE ENOUGH TO BE OUR -- TED: WE NEED FOR YOU TO UNPACK THAT?

>> I WAS RE-ELECTED CHAIR, I WAS SITTING CHAIR, I STEPPED DOWN AS THE CHAIR.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

GET YOUR ELECTIONS STRAIGHT.

I GOT THREATENED WITH A LAWSUIT FOR SEATING FRACTIONALLY DESERVED DELEGATES, THE ONLY WAY TO LOSE NONREFUNDABLE MONEY, AND I HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE ARIZONA GOP, UNLIKE PREDECESSORS, THE BODY VOTED TO SEAT THEM.

I WAS THE CHAIR, I DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE AN ELECTION, I WAS THE SEATED CHAIR.

SO SILLY.

TED: WE'RE GETTING DEEP INTO REPUBLICAN PARTY POLITICS HERE.

BACK UP TO THE SURFACE HERE AND TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, THE STATE BAR PUT YOU ON PROBATION, SOME OF YOUR ELECTION SUITS VIOLATED RULES FOR ATTORNEYS.

HAD TO TAKE CLASSES ON ETHICS.

WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?

>> LOOK, TED.

I KNOW PBS IS A LIBERAL MEDIA OUTLET -- TED: THAT'S NOT TRUE.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> YOU WANT TO SPIN THINGS AND TWIST THEM AND TAKE EVERYBODY BACK TO 2020.

TED: ALEX, HOLD ON, ALEX.

ANSWER THE QUESTION, PLEASE, WITHOUT THE PREAMBLE.

>> THE VOTERS OF THIS STATE ARE TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT 2020.

THE VOTERS OF THIS STATE ARE ALSO TIRED OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL ELECTION SYSTEM RUN BY A GUY TOTALLY INCAPABLE OF TELLING THE LAW.

I'M PROUD OF THE 15-YEAR CAREER FIGHTING FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ARIZONA VOTERS OF ALL PARTIES, ALL ACROSS THIS GREAT STATE, AND SOMETIMES THOSE CASES ARE HARD, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ADVOCATE TO GO INTO THE COURTROOM FROM POPULAR CAUSES, THAT'S WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT.

TED: UNPOPULAR CAUSES THAT LEAD TO CLASSES ON ETHICS, ATTORNEY ETHICS?

>> TED, I KNOW YOU KEEP WANTING TO SPIN THIS INTO DRAGGING THE STATE STRAIGHT BACK TO 2020.

THE VOTERS OF ARIZONA ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE AN ELECTION SYSTEM WE CAN BE PROUD OF.

THAT DEMOCRATS CAN BE PROUD OF, REPUBLICANS CAN BE PROUD OF, INDEPENDENTS CAN BE PROUD OF.

THAT'S WHAT THE ISSUE IS HERE AND NOW.

TED: WE HEARD ALEX COMMENT YOUR BACKGROUND, YOU COMMENT ON HIS?

>> MR.

KOLODIN DID HAVE MANDATORY ETHICS CLASSES BECAUSE MR.

KOLODIN BROUGHT A SERIES OF CASES THAT APPARENTLY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND A COUPLE OF JUDGES DIDN'T THINK MET THE LEVEL OUTSIDE FRIVOLITIES, OKAY?

AND I NEVER ENDORSED ALEX.

>> IT WAS ON X, I RETWEETED IT TODAY.

>> GOOD FOR YOU THAT YOU NEED TO FAKE AN ENDORSEMENT.

I DON'T NEED TO PRETEND TO BE ENDORSED BY THE PRESIDENT.

I ENDORSE WHOEVER THE NOMINEE WHO WINS A PRIMARY.

>> GO TO MY X ACCOUNT.

>> NONETHELESS, WE'RE IN A PLACE WHERE MR.

KOLODIN CONSTANTLY REFERENCES THE 2020 ELECTION, AND WHEN CALLED OUT ON HIS BEHAVIOR, IT'S UNNECESSARY.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO FILED THE BAR COMPLAINT AGAINST ME, AND MY OPPONENT WHO WAS A DEMOCRAT AND DONATED TO HILLARY CLINTON OVER DONALD TRUMP IS CARRYING WATER FOR THAT DEMOCRAT, JUST LIKE SHE CARRIED WATER FOR ADRIAN FONTES AND PIMA COUNTY'S RADICAL SOCIAL ENDORSED RECORDER WHO BY THE WAY IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE, THE CARTER CENTER, A LEFT-LEANING ORGANIZATION KNOWS AND WANTS AND PUTS THAT IN PUBLICATIONS THAT ELECTION OBSERVATION IS ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL TENETS OF ELECTION SECURITY.

TED: YOU GET A RESPONSE.

>> I LOVE THE OBSERVER, I'VE RUN IT SINCE 2020.

IF THE STATUTES PRESERVE OBSERVERS, THEY ARE THERE.

I'M NEVER GOING TO STAND FOR THAT AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE A VOICE THAT GOD GAVE ME.

TED: ALEX, WOULD YOU HAVE GIVEN ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE VOTER FILES.

THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE FOUGHT IT, HE WON, IS THAT A GOOD THING FOR ARIZONA?

SOMETHING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE?

>> HE WENT TO TRIAL COURT.

THE VOTERS OF THE STATE ARE TIRED OF THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN OUR ELECTION.

THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS DOING HIS JOB UNDER BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, WHICH IS TO MAKE SURE OUR STATE IS MAINTAINING CLEAN AND ACCURATE VOTER ROLLS.

NOT ONLY HAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE TRIED TO PREVENT COUNTY RECORDERS FROM FOLLOWING THOSE LAWS, BUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ALSO REFUSED TO COMPLY, AND INDEED OBSTRUCT IT.

A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS VIOLATIONS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

THAT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

TED: WE HAVE GIVEN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OUR VOTER REGISTRATION FILES?

>> I THINK THE ENTIRE STATE SHOULD USE THE SAVE THAT DATABASE SYSTEM.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS WANT TO DO, THAT ADRIAN FONTES IS OBSTRUCTING THEM FROM DOING AND HURTS ARIZONA VOTERS.

TED: WOULD YOU HAVE GIVEN THE FILES OVER.

THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE FOUGHT AND WON?

>> NOT WITHOUT A COURT ORDER.

JUSTIN HEAP WOULD NOT GIVE THEM OVER WITHOUT A COURT ORDER.

I HELPED TWO COUNTY RECORDERS TEST THE NEW SYSTEM.

>> SOME OF OUR COUNTIES ARE AND ADRIAN FONTES TRIED TO MAKE THAT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

TED: SHOULD REPUBLICAN VOTERS IN ARIZONA, START WITH REPUBLICANS, THIS IS A PRIMARY, SHOULD THEY TRUST YOU WITH THEIR PERSONAL DATA, CONSIDERING YOUR RESPONSE TO THE LAST QUESTION?

>> TED, THE VOTERS OF THIS STATE DEMAND THAT WE ONLY HAVE U.S.

CITIZENS ON OUR VOTER ROLLS.

MY OPPONENT OPPOSED THE FEDERAL SAVE ACT BECAUSE IT TELLS STATES WE CAN'T HAVE NONCITIZENS ON OUR VOTER ROLLS, BUT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY LIVES IN THIS STATE WANTS NONCITIZENS OFF OF OUR VOTER ROLLS.

IN FACT, THE VOTERS OF THE STATE IN 2004 PASSED A MEASURE -- TED: I GOTCHA THERE.

>> PASSED A MEASURE TO REQUIRE THAT NONCITIZENS NOT BE PERMITTED TO VOTE.

THAT'S BEEN FRUSTRATED FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

TED: SHOULD ARIZONA VOTERS TRUST TO YOU PROTECT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE SPENT A 15-YEAR CAREER FIGHTING FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ARIZONA VOTERS, BOTH IN THE COURTROOM AND THE MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE WHERE I SPONSORED, PASSED BY SUPERMAJORITIES AND HAD TO SIGNED INTO LAW BY A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, GROUNDBREAKING REFORM PACKAGES, BECAUSE THE IDEAS I ESPOUSE ARE COMMONSENSE IDEAS THAT ARIZONANS WILL LIKE.

>> I HELPED PASS THAT BILL.

TED: SHOULD ARIZONA VOTERS TRUST YOU?

I KIND OF GOT THE ANSWER, WHAT DID YOU THINK REGARDING THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE'S ACTIONS AND IF YOUR ACTION WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT, SHOULD VOTERS TRUST WITH YOU THEIR INFORMATION?

>> I WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE COURT TO SEEK A COURT ORDER AND ASKED THE COURT FOR PERMISSION TO GIVE THE ROLLS, OKAY?

BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN -- MY OPPONENT SAID MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE FIRST DAY HE WOULD GIVE THE ROLLS, NOW NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION.

I SUPPORT THE SAVE ACT.

SUPPORT PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.

THE VOTERS OF ARIZONA PASSED THEM ON THE BALLOT.

I DO NOT WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO USURP THE AUTHORITY THAT THE CONSTITUTION DELEGATES TO THE STATES.

THAT'S PART OF BEING A CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE.

TED: THAT LEADS TO -- I WAS GOING TO ASK, RUNNING SHORT A LITTLE BIT ON TIME, BUT PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER RESTRICTING MAIL-IN VOTING GOES BACK TO WHAT GINA MENTIONED HERE.

IS THAT NOT FEDERAL OVERREACH?

WHO IS IN CHARGE OF ELECTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY?

THE STATES?

THE COUNTIES?

OR THE FEDS?

>> ARIZONA CITIZENS LOVE OUR MAIL-IN VOTING.

MOST ARIZONANS USE MAIL-IN VOTING, AND NOBODY IS COMING TO TAKE THAT AWAY.

ALL OF MY EFFORTS IN LEGISLATURE HAVE BEEN AIMED TOWARDS MAKING MAIL-IN VOTING MORE SECURE SO VOTERS CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT REGARDLESS HOW THEY VOTE, THEY'RE GOING TO GET THEIR BALLOT IN THE RIGHT PLACE ON TIME, THAT THE RESULTS ARE TABULATED MORE QUICKLY, THAT THE VOTING PROCESS WILL BE SAFER FOR ALL ARIZONANS REGARDLESS OF PARTY.

TED: DO YOU BELIEVE MAIL-IN VOTING LEADS TO FRAUD AND NEEDS TO BE RESTRICTED?

>> THE AFOREMENTIONED CARTER REPORTS VOTING BY MAIL IS RISKY.

WE DO IT WELL, WE CONTINUE TO MAKE IT BETTER, AND A LOT OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE E.O.

FROM THE PRESIDENT ARE IN PLACE IN ARIZONA INCLUDING THE BARCODE AND BALLOT TRACKING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF IMPORTANT MEASURES IN PLACE, AND CAN ALWAYS MAKE IT BETTER.

TED: ELECTION RESULTS, ARE THEY FAST ENOUGH?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SPEED THEM UP AND -- HATE TO DOED AND QUESTION HERE, ELECTION RESULTS VERSUS CONVENIENCE.

WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT?

>> THIS IS THE ETERNAL QUESTION, TED.

SO AS PART OF THE BILL THAT I WITH PRESIDENT PETERSEN INITIATED WITH FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE, THE FIRST BILL THAT MADE IT TO GOVERNOR HOBBS' DESK.

WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO IS CUT OFF THE WAIT EARLY SO YOU GET THE MAIL BALLOT, WAIT 27 DAYS, YOU DON'T DROP IT OFF, YOU WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY TO DROP IT OFF.

THAT'S CREATING THE LAG.

THE COUNTIES FOUGHTOUS THAT, DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.

THEY AGREED TO DO IT.

WE NEEDED THAT TO BE DONE, IT WAS VETOED.

THE REFERRAL THAT MY OPPONENT TRIED TO MOVE OUT OF HOUSE, THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE COULDN'T COME TO AGREEMENT AND THAT DIED WHEN.

MY OPPONENT MOVED THE PRIMARY UP, THAT'S SOMETHING THE COUNTY WANTED BADLY.

HAD I STILL BEEN ON STAFF I WOULD INCLUDE ELIMINATING THE DROP-OFF AFTER 7:00.

YOU CAN STILL TAKE IT TO THE COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE, IF YOU HAVE 27 DAYS, THAT'S THE CONVENIENCE.

IT CREATES DOUBT IN THE RESULTS BECAUSE OF THE LAG, AND TO AVOID PEOPLE LOSING CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM, IT WOULD BE BETTER, IN MY OPINION, IF WE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE, IF YOU WANT THAT MAIL BALLOT, ACTUALLY TAKE IT IN.

TED: CONVENIENCE VERSUS BASICALLY GETTING THESE RESULTS IN, OR GETTING THE WINNER BEING ANNOUNCED BY A.P.

IN QUICKER?

>> TED, ONE THING IS CLEAR IN THIS DEBATE THAT MY OPPONENT LOVES TO TAKE CREDIT FOR MY WORK.

MAYBE IT'S HER GREAT ADMIRATION FOR MY WORK THAT SHE ENDORSED ME FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

WE DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO THINGS BECAUSE MY BILL THEY WANT TO SEND TO THE ARIZONA VOTERS FOR YOU TO APPROVE IN CURRENT FORM GETS FASTER RESULTS WITHOUT INCONVENIENCING ARIZONA VOTERS IN ANYWAY, BY IMPLEMENTING ON-SITE TABULATION OF ELECTION DAY BALLOTS AT EVERY POLLING PLACE IN THE COUNTY ACROSS THE STATE WITHOUT TAKING AWAY ANY OPTIONS FOR ARIZONANS.

TED: WHY ARE YOU TAKING CREDIT FOR HIS WORK?

>> I WAS A STAFFER, AND ON THE HOUSE SIDE, I THINK MY OPPONENT DRAFTED THE BILLS, AND BECAUSE HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS ON THE SENATE SIDE, HE'S PRESUMING.

THERE ARE TWO CHAMBERS AND SHOULD BE PLENTY OF CREDIT TO GO AROUND.

I'LL GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR THE REFERRAL HE IS WORKING ON NOW WHICH WILL CRUSH MAIL VOTING AND WILL FORCE THE RURAL COUNTIES TO DO ON-SITE TABULATION ON ELECTION DAY.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT.

MY OPPONENT CARVED OUT THE STATE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT AND IT'S GOING TO BANKRUPT OUR COUNTIES IF IT GOES THROUGH THE WAY HE'S DRAFTING.

TED: RESPOND, PLEASE.

>> THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

IF VOTERS WANT TO SEE HOW MUCH THE OPPONENT IS MISLEADING YOU, IT DOES NOT CRUSH MAIL VOTING DOES, NOT TAKE OPTIONS FOR ARIZONA VOTERS, WE'RE SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT ARIZONA VOTERS DO VALUE CONVENIENCE IN VOTING.

WE WANTED TO GIVE THEM IMPROVED PROCESS THAT DOES NOT INCONVENIENCE THEM OR TAKE OPTIONS AWAY IN ANY WAY.

BUT MY OPPONENT IS MISCHARACTERIZING IT IN MANY OF THE SAME WAYS THAT ADRIAN FONTES IS MISCHARACTERIZING THE MEASURE.

THOUGH THE VOTERS GO ON THE WEBSITE AND LOOK AT IT WITH THEIR OWN TWO EYES, SHE CONTINUES TO CARRY WATER FOR ADRIAN FONTES.

THIS IS NOT THE PERSON WE TRUST FOR OUR PARTY.

TED: CARRYING WATER FOR ADRIAN FONTES?

>> CARRYING WATER FOR THE VOTERS, AND MY OPPONENT REFUSING TO ANSWER CALLS, TELLING THEM THEY CAN'T IMPLEMENT THE WAY YOU HAVE THAT DRAFTED.

YOU ARE NOT CALLING BACK.

>> MAKE ONE THING CLEAR, TED, THE VOTERS OF ARIZONA ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT.

MY OPPONENT MAY CARE ABOUT OTHERS, I CARE ABOUT THE VOTERS.

TED: 15 SECONDS, QUICK ANSWER HERE, VOTER PARTICIPATION, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU IN OFFICE TO PROMOTE THAT, MAKE IT QUICK, PLEASE.

>> EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

WE KNOW THAT VOTER PARTICIPATION IN SOME COUNTIES, ESPECIALLY PIMA COUNTY IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW ALONG WITH CONFIDENCE, THAT'S WHY WE NEED A SECRETARY OF STATE WHO CAN RESTORE LAWFUL ELECTION.

TED: AGAIN, PARTICIPATION BECAUSE VOTER CONFIDENCE IS WANING.

>> I'M HAPPY TO IMPLEMENT TRANSPARENCY AND TO BE COMPETENT, BUT IT IS NOT THE JOB OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO INCREASE GET OUT THE VOTE AND TURNING OUT THE VOTE.

THAT IS THE JOB OF THE PARTIES.

>> THE JOB OF THE -- TED: NO, NO, STOP IT RIGHT THERE.

YOU ANSWERED QUICKLY, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU, CANDIDATES, WE'VE ALLOTTED TIME FOR ONE MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENTS AND GOING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WE START WITH ALEX KOLODIN.

>> THE JOB OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS TO GIVE ALL ARIZONA VOTERS OF EVERY PARTY ELECTIONS THAT ARE LAWFULLY ADMINISTERED, TRUSTWORTHY, HONEST, AND COMPETENTLY RUN, AND WHEN WE DO THAT, AND WE WILL DO, THAT YOU WILL FIND THAT VOTER PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE GOES TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH BECAUSE WHAT THE VOTERS OF ARIZONA HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER THE YEARS SINCE ADRIAN FONTES HAS BEEN RUNNING SOME OR ALL OF OUR ELECTIONS AND OVER THE YEARS WHERE WE'VE BEEN A LAUGHINGSTOCK TO THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, WHAT THE VOTERS ARE WAITING FOR IS ELECTIONS WE CAN BE PROUD OF AGAIN.

I HAVE THE TRACK RECORD BOTH IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE COURTROOM, OF WORKING ON BIPARTISAN ELECTION REFORM EFFORTS, MAJOR ONE, DOING THE HARD LIFTING AND NEGOTIATIONS TO GET THEM PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPERMAJORITIES AND SIGNED BY A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

I KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE SYSTEM SOMETHING YOU WILL BE PROUD OF AGAIN AND PASS DOWN TO YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

THANK YOU, AND I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

TED: THANK YOU, AND CLOSING STATEMENT FROM GINA SWOBODA.

>> IT WAS AN HONOR TO SERVE AS PARTY CHAIR, I LOVE THAT OFFICE, I KNOW THE BUDGET, I KNOW THE STAFF, AND I KNOW EVERY PART OF THE OFFICE INCLUDING BUSINESS SERVICES, THE ARCHIVES, THE LIBRARY, MANY OTHER PARTS OF THE OFFICE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

ONE THING I NEED TO SAY -- AND I WANT TO ASK EVERYBODY OUT THERE -- DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK MY OPPONENT COULD BEAT ADRIAN FONTES IN A GENERAL ELECTION?

THE ANSWER IS NO.

TED: ALL RIGHT, I GUESS THAT'S IT.

CANDIDATES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION.

OUR NEXT "ARIZONA HORIZON" "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" WILL BE TUESDAY MAY 19, AS WE HEAR FROM CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR ARIZONA TREASURER, TUESDAY MAY 19 AT 5:00 P.M.

AND AGAIN AT 10:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

A REMINDER, ALL EPISODES OF "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" ARE LIVESTREAMED ON YouTube AT AZPBS NOW AND CAN BE VIEWED AS WELL AT AZPBS.ORG.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.