Adrian Fontes

Adrian Fontes was born in Nogales, Arizona, and lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Fontes served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1992 to 1996. He earned a high school diploma from Nogales High School. He received a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in communication from Arizona State University in 1998 and a J.D. from the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver in 2000. His career experience includes working as an attorney in the Denver district attorney's office, the Maricopa County attorney’s office, and the Arizona attorney general’s office, where he was an assistant attorney general. Fontes also worked as a certified election and registration administrator.[1][2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

In 2022, I was elected Arizona’s 21st Secretary of State. A proud Arizona native, Marine Corps veteran, husband, and father, I have dedicated my life to justice and defending democracy. After serving on active duty from 1992–1996, I pursued law, advocating for the disadvantaged as a prosecutor in Denver and Maricopa County, and leading the International Prosecution Unit at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. As Maricopa County Recorder, I modernized elections, expanded access, and improved transparency. As Secretary of State, I have strengthened election integrity, promoted voter access, protected ballot-by-mail, and ensured Arizona’s business community has a trusted, nonpartisan partner.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Arizona’s elections are safe, secure, and accurately administered under the law. I will continue to protect and support Arizona’s established voting methods, including early voting, vote-by-mail, and in-person voting. These systems are already built with multiple layers of security, verification, and auditing. Ensuring eligible voters can participate—while maintaining strong safeguards against fraud or error—is essential to a healthy democracy.I will continue to vigorously protect the privacy of Arizona voters and follow both state and federal law. Arizona law clearly establishes what voter information is public and what information is confidential, and I believe the Secretary of State has a responsibility to safeguard sensitive voter data from unauthorized disclosure. When the federal government sought access to private voter information beyond what is permitted under Arizona law, I fought to protect Arizona voters, and a judge ruled in my favor. That decision reinforced an important principle: voter privacy is not negotiable, and Arizona's laws protecting sensitive voter information must be respected.I will focus on increasing transparency and voter education, and advocate for counties to have the resources they need to administer elections effectively and securely. I will continue advocating for additional state and federal funding to modernize and secure Arizona’s election systems. Election security is not a one-time investment—it requires continuous improvement to stay ahead of evolving threats.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about protecting your vote and safeguarding our democracy for generations to come. I will continue to fight misinformation and advocate for the funding necessary to modernize and secure all aspects of election administration. From voter registration systems to ballot tracking and administrative tools, sustained investment is essential to ensuring Arizona’s elections remain secure, efficient, and accessible.

Campaign websiteFontes' campaign website stated the following:As a former Marine, father of three daughters, an attorney, and an elections administrator —Adrian has spent his whole career fighting for justice and democracy.In 2022, Adrian Fontes was elected as Arizona’s 21st Secretary of State. Secretary Fontes is a proud Arizona native, an honorable veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and the father of three daughters, who has spent a lifetime fighting for justice and defending our Democracy.Secretary Fontes served on active duty from 1992 to 1996 and was nominated for a meritorious commission. His service to our country taught him the importance of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice to forcefully fight for the American dream.After graduating from law school, Secretary Fontes spent his career advocating for justice and fighting for those who are disadvantaged — first as a prosecutor with the Denver District Attorney and then at the Maricopa County Attorney’s office. He later led the International Prosecution Unit at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. He practiced law for 15 years before running for office in 2016 when he was elected Maricopa County Recorder.As Recorder, Secretary Fontes revolutionized the election system by ensuring that every eligible Arizonan had the access they needed to vote. Adrian enhanced ballot tracking technology and increased process transparency, winning recognition and awards from election organizations across the country.In 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 crisis and amidst violent protests, Maricopa County saw record voter turnout, as well as record numbers of new voters registered for both parties. Secretary Fontes later testified before Congress to inform them of threats facing election officials.Secretary Fontes is committed to preserving integrity in our elections, making voting easier for registered voters, and ensuring that Arizona’s business community has a non-partisan partner in the Secretary’s office.— Adrian Fontes' campaign website (August 17, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Campaign ads

"Protecting Your Vote" – Fontes campaign ad, released July 22, 2026

"Fighting to Protect Your Vote and Your Privacy" – Fontes campaign ad, released April 15, 2026

"Reelect Secretary of State Adrian Fontes" – Fontes campaign ad, released April 23, 2025

View more ads here:

YouTube

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a former Marine, father of three daughters, an attorney, and an elections administrator – Adrian has spent his whole career fighting for justice and democracy. Inspired by his grandfather’s service in WWII and as Mayor of Nogales, AZ, Adrian enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Serving his country taught him the importance of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice to fight for the American dream. After being Honorably Discharged, Adrian received his Bachelor’s degree from ASU before continuing to the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver. In 2016, Adrian became the first Democrat elected to the Recorder’s office in 50 years and the first-ever Latino to hold an office in Arizona’s largest county. Once elected, Adrian revolutionized Arizona’s elections by registering half a million new voters, providing direct outreach to traditionally underserved communities, and making voting free, fair, and accessible to all. From day one, he got to work professionalizing the operation and implementing a comprehensive plan in advance of Election Day: securing polling locations, recruiting and training poll workers, and educating voters on where, when, and how to vote.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Protect DemocracyAdminister Fair and Competent ElectionsMake Voting More Accessible for All Eligible Arizona Voters

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Adrian has spent his whole career fighting for justice and democracy. As former Maricopa County Recorder, Adrian is most passionate about making voting easier and more accessible for all eligible Arizona voters. At a time when anti-democratic forces are undermining the right to vote, fueling conspiracy theories, and undermining the public’s faith in our electoral process, administering elections fairly and competently at the state and local level is more critical than ever. As a United States Marine Corps veteran, Adrian is also passionate about ensuring that these democratic principles are protected for veterans and service members who have sacrificed so much to fight for the American dream of democracy. As the father of three daughters, Adrian’s passion for women’s rights issues and protections plays a large role in his life as well.

Adrian Fontes did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.