As of July 28 , 22 states and the District of Columbia have held their 2022 primaries . More than 60 percent of secretary of state contests , whose responsibilities include overseeing elections , and 40 percent of races for governor and attorney general “ currently have an election-denying candidate on the ballot ,” States United Action reports . Their tally does not include scores of like-minded candidates seeking state legislative races and even law enforcement posts .
“ This is America versus Trumpism ,” as one analyst said on a late July briefing that sought to tie the impact of the hearings by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol to the less-widely recognized stakes in 2022 ’ s general election .
“ Across the country , politicians who won ’ t accept the result of the last election are seeking control over future elections ,” States United Action said . “ Election Deniers are now seeking these jobs and positions across the country in a coordinated attack on the freedom to vote .”
In coming weeks , political media may begin to assess the political paradox of looming threats by GOP authoritarians to expand their gains since 2020 — which include passing 50 state laws that “ politicize , criminalize , or interfere with elections ” — as against the prospect that Trump and his gang may at last face criminal charges for their failed coup .
In August , numerous states will hold primaries with election deniers seeking the top statewide offices — governor , attorney general and secretary of state . Those primaries include Arizona , Kansas , Michigan , Missouri on August 2 ; Wisconsin on August 9 ; and Florida on August 23 .
Shifting Opinion On Trump Coup
Meanwhile , the House Select Committee ’ s investigations have shifted public opinion . When the committee ’ s series of hearings began in June , there were still questions — at least among independents and moderate Republicans — about whether Trump and his enablers had committed crimes and whether the public would pay attention . After eight hearings , which will resume in September , it is clear that growing numbers of Americans are watching , there is no doubt Trump led an ultimately violent criminal conspiracy to overturn the presidential election , and the pressing question is whether there will be accountability under state and federal criminal codes .
The momentum for accountability also can be seen in revelations that the Justice Department is questioning a larger circle of Trump allies , including former members of his cabinet . At the same time , missing texts surrounding Trump ’ s actions on January 6 have grown from the Secret Service guarding Trump to top Department of Homeland Security officials . In Georgia , Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has alerted many Trump aides and allies that they may face prosecution .
Election lawyers tracking these developments say that criminal charges are likely to be lodged first in Georgia — possibly before the general election . The DOJ is expected to