In the aftermath of the tumultuous 2020 election, state election officials emerged as the frontline defenders of American democracy, courageously standing against President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims and unwelcome attempts to reverse the election results. They inadvertently became icons of institutional resilience against his efforts to cling to power.
Fast forward to 2026, and several of these officials are now eyeing the governor’s mansion, yet they seem eager to sidestep any mention of the 2020 electoral turmoil.
As the political landscape has shifted over the past five years, candidates from both major parties—Republican and Democrat—are banking on the hope that voters have turned the page on the past. With the echoes of Trump’s election denial still resonating, these candidates are attempting to reframe their narratives away from the contentious past.
Among them are two Republican secretaries of state, who stood firm against Trump’s falsehoods during the 2020 election and successfully navigated MAGA-infused primaries in 2022. Understandably, they prefer not to revisit the ghosts of 2020 as they campaign for higher office.
“For us secretaries of state, 2020 is firmly behind us,” remarked Kansas Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab. “We remember it, but we’re moving on, and I believe the American public is ready to do the same.”
However, Trump appears unwilling to let bygones be bygones, complicating these candidates’ attempts to put the past behind them. Addressing a group of global leaders in Davos recently, he reiterated his debunked claims that the 2020 election was “rigged,” promising imminent prosecutions for those involved in the electoral process.
Two Democratic secretaries of state are also in the running for governorships, and while their roles as defenders of democracy against Trump’s election-related antics shape their political narratives, both candidates prioritize economic issues over electoral integrity in their campaigns.
“This election is about Michigan, and it’s about identifying who can best alleviate costs for the people of our state,” stated Michigan Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in an interview with POLITICO.
This shift in focus reflects the broader responsibilities associated with the governorship, where the scope of influence is significantly wider than that of a secretary of state. Voters are increasingly inclined to hear about immediate concerns rather than past controversies.
Yet, this evolution also highlights a critical transformation in the political discourse that characterized Trump’s initial term. For Democrats, the defense of democracy proved to be a powerful campaign weapon in 2022, as candidates vigorously opposed election deniers, and many believe this strategy retains its potency.
“Democracy serves as a window into character,” explained Democratic pollster Celinda Lake. “It effectively communicates integrity, nonpartisanship, and a commitment to freedom—qualities that resonate with voters.”
As the messaging surrounding democracy continues to adapt, strategists note that its implications have broadened since 2020. Initially centered on election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power, the conversation now increasingly encompasses executive authority concerns, with Democrats positioning themselves as the counterforce to what they perceive as authoritarianism from Trump.
“This is the moment when we need a governor who will stand firm,” emphasized Benson, who has been vocal against the Trump administration following the federal agents’ violent response to protests in Minnesota.
Jocelyn Benson
Benson stood at the forefront of defending Michigan’s election results in the wake of 2020, enduring threats and harassment. Her campaign launch video features news footage of protests outside her home, underscoring her resilience in the face of adversity, and she continues to vocally oppose the false narratives surrounding the 2020 election.
That critical period, she argues, showcases her leadership and readiness to confront bullies trying to undermine democracy. “We fought back to protect democracy itself, demonstrating that state officials must respond decisively to those who seek to strip away our rights, regardless of their power,” she declared.
Nevertheless, on the campaign trail, Benson prioritizes pressing economic concerns such as affordability, housing, healthcare, childcare, and energy costs, making them central themes on her campaign platform.
“What every resident and voter understands is the necessity of having a governor who will advocate for them and effectively reduce their cost of living while ensuring their safety and that of their families and communities,” she told POLITICO.
Brad Raffensperger
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger gained national attention when he rejected Trump’s request to “find” more votes in Georgia. This incident not only brought him into the spotlight but also attracted ire from Trump and his supporters, resulting in threats against him. Despite facing a Trump-endorsed primary challenger in 2022, Raffensperger managed to hold his ground by leveraging conservative media to bolster his image. Now, he is setting his sights on the governor’s mansion in a state pivotal to Trump’s 2020 ambitions.
In his campaign materials, Raffensperger avoids direct references to the 2020 election, instead promoting his record on making “tough decisions.” His launch video emphasizes job creation in Georgia, tax reductions, and banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports—issues that resonate with voters but diverge from his current responsibilities.
Yet, the specter of Georgia’s 2020 election lingers. Recently, the FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County elections office, seizing all ballots from the 2020 election.
“He tries to shift the conversation to other topics, but 2020 continues to resurface,” noted Buzz Brockway, a former Republican state legislator who previously challenged Raffensperger in a primary.
Brockway acknowledged that while many Republicans have attempted to move forward from 2020, a vocal faction remains steadfastly engaged in that battle, creating challenges for Raffensperger, even as general voter sentiment may have shifted.
Raffensperger has generally evaded inquiries regarding the 2020 election, stating in a November interview with the Atlanta-Journal Constitution that the experience demonstrated his commitment to doing “the right thing, no matter what.”
“Others haven’t faced that test, but we did,” he remarked.
Raffensperger’s campaign opted not to provide a comment for this article.
Nonetheless, his opponents in the GOP primary, particularly Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, seem intent on keeping the 2020 narrative alive. Jones, who was implicated as a fake elector during that tumultuous time, has sought to frame his actions as unwavering loyalty to Trump.
“I doubt this strategy will attract new voters for Jones,” Brockway speculated, “but it may serve to energize his base.”
Scott Schwab
In the deeply conservative state of Kansas, Schwab faced considerable backlash from some party members when he consistently dismissed false claims regarding the 2020 election while serving as secretary of state. As he campaigns for the governorship in a highly competitive GOP primary, he remains focused on issues he believes resonate more with voters.
“Tax concerns are paramount, especially with rising living costs,” Schwab, a former chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State, stated in an interview. “Property taxes are a particularly hot topic in Kansas.”
His campaign launch video barely touches on election-related matters, mentioning them almost as an afterthought: “As secretary of state, I streamlined business services and reduced bureaucratic hurdles. I also secured our elections.”
A segment of the Republican base continues to prioritize election issues, according to Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University. However, for the broader voting population—those likely to participate in midterm elections—these concerns remain relatively low on their list of priorities.
In the 2022 elections, Schwab, Raffensperger, and Benson all managed to secure their positions despite facing challenges from Trump-aligned candidates and outright election deniers.
“Most people seem to believe we’ve moved on,” Schwab asserted.
Shenna Bellows
Democrat Shenna Bellows took office as Maine’s secretary of state in January 2021, right when Trump was fiercely contesting his election defeat. In 2023, she ruled that Trump should be disqualified from the ballot due to his actions related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol, a decision later overturned by the Supreme Court.
As she enters a competitive primary in a blue-leaning state, Bellows has been more forthcoming about her experiences than some of her counterparts. “Leadership is about making the right calls, even when they’re tough,” she stated in her campaign launch video, which highlighted the harassment she endured due to her decisions.
In her pursuit of the governorship, she recognizes that public discontent regarding Trump’s actions coincides with enduring economic worries. Similar to Benson, she has spoken out against violence, particularly the killings in Minnesota.
“For most Mainers, the economy is the top concern, especially with rising tariffs and the job losses we are facing,” she explained to POLITICO. “That said, it’s crucial to convey the truth. My actions as secretary of state and my commitment to defending democracy illustrate that I will always choose the right path, even when it’s challenging.”
