Beau Lane, a Phoenix advertising executive, announced that he will launch a campaign for Secretary of State — a position within the state that has gained national attention.
According to the video announcing his candidacy and his campaign website, Lane will attempt to cast himself as an “outsider” with solutions to improve the office. “We need a citizen and a leader, not a career politician, to restore faith and trust in our democratic institutions,” his website reads.
Lane claims he will focus on improving the integrity of the state’s elections and restoring trust in the process — a high priority of many Republican voters in Arizona and across the country.
“The integrity of our voting systems is the cornerstone of our democracy. Our government only works when all Americans — all Arizonans — believe that their vote counts and our processes work. Over the last few elections, we’ve seen an erosion of that trust, a lack of faith in the core principle of our democracy and it is putting us on a dangerous path. We must get back on track or we risk losing everything,” he said in his video.
Our elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, yet too many Arizonans question the integrity of our voting systems. This is a critical threat to our state and our nation, and I'm ready to step up. Join my campaign at https://t.co/8H8a5XvK2S pic.twitter.com/j8fKd7BTwZ
— Beau Lane (@beauforaz) June 29, 2021
Lane promised to be a candidate that delivers “less rhetoric and more results.”
He joins a crowded field attempting to replace Katie Hobbs, the Democrat office holder who is electing to run for Governor. Several candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, have launched bids with the goal of becoming the top elections official.
On the Republican side, Lane will compete against a host of state lawmakers: State Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, State Rep. Mark Finchem, and State Rep. Shawnna Bolick.
Arizona’s Secretary of State position is the first in line to the governor, as the state does not have a lieutenant governor.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
