The Arizona Republic asks Chris Deschene, a member of the Navajo Nation, about his bid for secretary of state.

"1. Why are you running for secretary of state?

Arizona needs strong, qualified leaders who can make responsible, well-thought-out decisions for the rest of our state. I am running because I have a proven record of service and leadership to serve as one of our chief elected officials.

2. What would be your top priorities as secretary of state?

My first priority would be to institute a top-to-down review of Arizona's election system to streamline operations, make elections more transparent and save Arizona taxpayers money. My second priority is to guarantee objectivity and remove politics from administering our elections by not endorsing candidates for office. Finally, I will fight to protect the rights of every Arizona voter and defend the integrity of our elections.

3. Do you see ways to improve the voting process in Arizona?

Absolutely. We should be respecting and protecting every qualified voter's rights while protecting the integrity of our elections. Here are a few examples of my work. As a state representative, I have helped pass Senate Bill 1422 that protects rural voters' rights to nominate their elected leaders. I also helped pass House Bill 2729, which improves the election security of Arizona's elections."

Get the Story:
Chris Deschene wants to fine-tune elections (The Arizona Republic 7/12)