'Code red for democracy': How Trump supporters who backed voter fraud claims are gaining control over the next elections

Supporters of former President Donald Trump's voter fraud claims are strategizing to run for key positions in battleground states across the country. At first glance, their intent to run for office might seem innocent, but there is an ulterior motive at play.

According to Reuters, these candidates appear to have a common goal: with certain individuals in position, Trump supporters have a greater chance of controlling elections. The publication interviewed a total of nine out of 15 Republican candidates running for secretary of state in the key battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada. Public remarks made by all 15 candidates were also reviewed. Based on their public statements, it appears 10 of the 15 candidates have "either declared that the 2020 election was stolen or called for their state's results to be invalidated or further investigated."

Three of the candidates are considered to be "part of a wider group of Republican secretary-of-state contenders in America's swing states who have embraced former President Donald Trump's false claims that he lost a 'rigged' election."

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D) recently verbalized her concerns about the secretary-of-state races, which will be part of the 2022 primary elections. According to Griswold, who is also chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State and Colorado's top-ranking election official, the races appear to "reflect a much broader exploitation of phony voter-fraud claims by Republicans seeking all levels of elected office."

"That is 'code red' for democracy," Griswold warned.

So far, Trump is reportedly backing three Republican secretaries of state candidates in Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan. Boris Epshteyn, a former special assistant for Trump, also noted the Republican Party has placed an emphasis on these particular races.

"It's vital they have the right ideals," Epshteyn said of the Republican candidates running for secretary of state. "That includes, first and foremost, getting to the bottom of the 2020 election as well as making sure widespread voter fraud doesn't happen going forward."

The publication reports only two of the candidates in battleground states were willing to admit that President Joe Biden legitimately won the election. That, alone, speaks volumes regarding the perspective of Republican leaders, lawmakers and members of the party and their continued efforts to perpetuate Trump's big lie.