Special Report
Governors and Candidates Who Got Behind the Stolen Election Lie
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Nearly two years have passed since President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Though the election results have been certified by Congress and re-affirmed by multiple high-profile audits and recounts, false claims that the election was stolen persist.
No one has been a more vocal proponent of these allegations than Trump himself – though many high profile political leaders have also voiced their support of the false narrative, carrying water for the former president and jeopardizing their own credibility in the process.
With the midterm elections only weeks away, there are 11 members of the GOP who are running for governor of their state, in addition to nine sitting governors – most of whom are also up for reelection this year – who have expressed doubt over, or denied outright, the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
Reviewing public statements of political leaders compiled by Bloomberg, 24/7 Wall St. identified the sitting state governors and gubernatorial candidates who still believe in election fraud.
The politicians on this list have made statements that range in significance. Some have sympathized with the concerns of election deniers in their constituency, while others have gone so far as to allege high treason. They have used these statements to garner support from their base and often to secure endorsements from Trump, who remains popular among conservative voters. (Here is a look at the companies bankrolling congress members who did not certify the election.)
While this strategy has been largely effective in primary races across the country, whether or not they hold up in a general election remains to be seen. (Here is a look at America’s least popular governors.)
Click here for a list of the governors and candidates who got behind the stolen election lie.
1. Gov. Kay Ivey (R) of Alabama
> In office since: April 19, 2017
> Election 2022: Running against Yolanda Flowers (D)
“The fake news, big tech and blue-state liberals stole the election from President Trump.” – Gov. Kay Ivey in a campaign ad.
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2. Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) of Alaska
> In office since: Dec. 3, 2018
> Election 2022: Running against Les Gara (D)
“I for one will support our President’s efforts to ensure that the election is completed with integrity.” – Gov. Mike Dunleavy in a tweet posted on Nov. 7, 2020.
3. Kari Lake (R), gubernatorial candidate in Arizona
> Election 2022: Running against Katie Hobbs (D)
“America knows the 2020 election was stolen. America knows President Trump was the true winner.” – Kari Lake in a tweet posted on May 8, 2022.
4. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) of Florida
> In office since: Jan. 8, 2019
> Election 2022: Running against Charlie Crist (D)
“Presidential electors are done by the legislatures and the schemes they create and the framework. If there’s departure from that, if they’re not following law, if they’re ignoring the law, then they can provide remedies as well.” – Gov. Ron DeSantis in a Nov. 5, 2020 interview on Fox News.
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5. Gov. Brad Little (R) of Idaho
> In office since: Jan. 7, 2019
> Election 2022: Running against Stephen Heidt (D)
“Idaho’s elections are safe and secure, and we expect the same of other states.” – Gov. Brad Little in a statement issued on Dec. 10, 2020.
6. Darren Bailey (R), gubernatorial candidate in Illinois
> Election 2022: Running against incumbent Gov. J.D. Pritzker (D)
“All this fraudulent activity is absolutely disgusting. It’s wrong, it’s-in my opinion-almost the highest form of treason in our country, so we pray that that will be dealt with.” – Darren Bailey in a video posted on Facebook on Nov. 10, 2020.
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7. Derek Schmidt (R), gubernatorial candidate in Kansas
> Election 2022: Running against incumbent Gov. Laura Kelly (D)
“Kansas filed a brief in this case, as we have in others, seeking an answer to an important and potentially recurring federal constitutional question involving the role of states in federal elections.” – Derek Schmidt in a statement issued on Dec. 11, 2020.
8. Paul LePage (R), gubernatorial candidate in Maine
> Election 2022: Running against incumbent Gov. Janet T. Mills (D)
“I tell you, this is clearly a stolen election.” – Paul LePage in a Nov. 13, 2020 talk radio interview.
9. Dan Cox (R), gubernatorial candidate in Maryland
> Election 2022: Running against Wes Moore (D)
“Pence is a traitor.” – Dan Cox in a tweet posted on Jan. 6, 2022.
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10. Geoff Diehl (R), gubernatorial candidate in Massachusetts
> Election 2022: Running against Maura Healey (D)
“It was highly suspicious that in the 2020 election, five states stopped counting ballots at 10:00 p.m.” – Geoff Diehl in an interview published on Aug. 1, 2022.
11. Tudor Dixon (R), gubernatorial candidate in Michigan
> Election 2022: Running against incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D)
“Steal an election then hide behind calls for unity and leftists lap it up.” – Tudor Dixon in a tweet posted on Nov. 8, 2020.
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12. Scott Jensen (R), gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota
> Election 2022: Running against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz (D)
“(Secretary of State) Steve Simon, you maybe better check out to see if you look good in stripes, because you’ve gotten away with too much, too long.” – Scott Jensen in a 2022 GOP district convention.
13. Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) of Montana
> In office since: Jan. 4, 2021
> Election 2022: Current term ends in 2025
“To protect the integrity of the 2020 elections and elections to come, I encourage the Supreme Court to accept Texas’ lawsuit and answer the important questions that have been put forward.” – Gov. Greg Gianforte in a statement published in the Billings Gazette on Dec. 10, 2020.
14. Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) of Nebraska
> In office since: Jan. 8, 2015
> Election 2022: Term limited, ineligible to run
“I think with the substantial number of people who are questioning the integrity of our voter system, it would be good for Congress to do that [create a commission].” – Gov. Pete Ricketts in a Jan. 4, 2021 press conference.
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15. Lee Zeldin (R), gubernatorial candidate in New York
> Election 2022: Running against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul (D)
“There are many elections still ahead for our country and what happened with the rules changes simply can’t keep continuing like this.” – Lee Zeldin in a statement issued on December 16, 2020.
16. Doug Mastriano (R), gubernatorial candidate in Pennsylvania
> Election 2022: Running against Josh Shapiro (D)
“There is mounting evidence that the PA presidential election was compromised.” – Doug Mastriano in a tweet posted on Nov. 28, 2020.
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17. Gov. Kristi Noem (R) of South Dakota
> In office since: Jan. 8, 2019
> Election 2022: Running against Jamie Smith (D)
“@realDonaldTrump has been fighting the establishment, the mainstream media, and now rigged election systems on behalf of the American people and our way of life.” – Gov. Kristi Noem in a tweet posted on Nov. 5, 2020.
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18. Gov. Bill Lee (R) of Tennessee
> In office since: Jan. 19, 2019
> Election 2022: Running against Jason Martin (D)
“I think we’ll see after today where the process is and what challenges exist and don’t exist and where we are in that process.” – Gov. Bill Lee in a statement to reporters, published on Dec. 14, 2020.
19. Tim Michels (R), gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin
> Election 2022: Running against incumbent Gov. Tony Evers (D)
“Certainly, there was a lot of bad stuff that happened. There was certainly illegal ballots. How many? … I don’t know if anybody knows.” – Tim Michels in a May 3, 2022 interview.
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20. Gov. Mark Gordon (R) of Wyoming
> In office since: Jan. 7, 2019
> Election 2022: Running against Theresa Livingston (D)
“I strongly support the Supreme Court hearing the constitutional issue of the Electors Clause raised by Texas.” – Gov. Mark Gordon in a statement issued on Dec. 10, 2020.
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