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GOP Attorney General Candidates and the 2028 Elections

A slate of Republican candidates running for attorney general across several key US states have repeatedly expressed beliefs that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, raising questions about future election administration.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 22, 2026 · Updated: October 22, 2026 · 4 min read

GOP Attorney General Candidates and the 2028 Elections — Image: WIRED

Overview of GOP Candidates

A recent review conducted by WIRED has identified a slate of Republican attorney general candidates across more than half a dozen states, including critical swing states, who have repeatedly expressed their belief that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. If elected, several of these candidates have indicated a willingness to relitigate the 2020 vote, and all will potentially hold a key role in managing the 2028 presidential election.

The position of state attorney general functions differently across jurisdictions, but generally serves as the chief legal officer tasked with acting as a check on both state governors and the federal government. Attorneys general across the United States have recently faced scenarios where federal entities attempted to take control of elections, seize ballots, and obtain voter rolls containing sensitive personal data.

Legal professionals emphasize the gravity of these positions. Christina Beeler, senior counsel for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, noted that any attorney general should be dedicated to upholding the rule of law and respecting established election results, given the significant power held by the office.

Arizona and the Cyber Ninjas Audit

In Arizona, state Senator Warren Petersen emerged as a prominent supporter of claims regarding the 2020 election. In 2020, Petersen signed a document requesting Congress to accept 11 alternate electoral votes and later signed another demanding that the US Senate reject Arizona's slate of electors.

Petersen was central to facilitating the controversial Cyber Ninjas audit in Maricopa County. Although the audit found no evidence of voter fraud and ultimately confirmed that Joe Biden won by a wider margin than initially recorded, the process cost taxpayers $4 million. Earlier this year, Petersen complied with a grand jury subpoena, turning over files related to the audit to the FBI as part of its ongoing investigation.

During his primary campaign, Petersen signaled a desire to expand the attorney general's Election Integrity Unit to relitigate the 2020 election if he secures a victory. Polling indicates that Petersen remains tied with his Democratic opponent, Kris Mayes.

Developments in Georgia and Kansas

In Georgia, a frequent focal point for election conspiracy theories, the GOP nominee for attorney general is Brian Strickland. As a state senator in 2020, Strickland shared a press release advocating for an investigation into alleged fraudulent activities, a forensic audit, and new voting legislation.

Strickland expressed support for the Trump administration's continued investigations when FBI officials raided Fulton County election offices and seized 2020 ballots, describing the action as a transparency measure. Local polling shows Strickland tied with his Democratic opponent, Tanya Miller.

Meanwhile, in Kansas, incumbent Attorney General Kris Kobach already holds the seat he won in 2022. A long-time promoter of conspiracy theories regarding fraudulent elections, Kobach previously served as Kansas secretary of state. During the post-2020 period, Kobach advised Texas' legal challenges to overturn results and assisted a member of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers attempting to rescind her certification vote.

Michigan and Nevada Races

In Michigan, Eaton County prosecutor Doug Lloyd secured the Republican nomination for attorney general. While Lloyd is not traditionally categorized as an election denier and positions himself as more moderate than his Democratic opponent Eli Savit, a recent podcast interview revealed his openness to re-examining voter concerns regarding the 2020 election.

Lloyd noted that an attorney general has the capacity to utilize investigative officers or the Michigan State Police to review past election items. Recent polling indicates a tight race between Lloyd and his Democratic opponent.

In Nevada, lawyer Adriana Guzmán Fralick has received an endorsement from Donald Trump. Fralick has stated she would push for a state-level version of the SAVE Act, which aims to impose stricter documentation requirements on eligible voters, such as mandating a passport or birth certificate for registration.