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By Sasha Hupka | Arizona Republic
Of the eight people running for office in Chandler, four say there is no evidence of widespread fraud in Arizona during the 2020 presidential election, one raises the possibility of it and three didn’t answer — including both mayoral candidates.
Election integrity has become a hot button issue in Arizona, even though claims of widespread election fraud were dismissed in dozens of courtrooms in the state and around the country after the 2020 presidential election. A months-long ballot review and hand recount in Maricopa County attempted to raise questions about election security but found no widespread fraud.
Yet some candidates for office across Arizona in 2022 continue to challenge or question the results of the 2020 presidential election. Some candidates for local office are no exception.
The Republic posed the question of election integrity to each of the people running for leadership positions in Chandler. That includes Mayor Kevin Hartke, who seeks a second term, and mayoral challenger Ruth Jones, who moved to Chandler two years ago from Clearfield, Utah, where she served on the city’s planning commission.
Council candidates include Angel Encinas, Darla Gonzalez, incumbent Matt Orlando, Jane Poston, Farhana Shifa and write-in candidate Cody Hannah.
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The Republic asked Chandler’s candidates if they believe President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and whether they believe there was widespread election fraud in Arizona.