Secretary of State Adrian Fontes shifts tone heading into re-election

Between the lines: Three years ago, Fontes benefited from facing a far-right opponent and could see a similar advantage next year.

• Only state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a member of the Freedom Caucus who was sanctioned by the State Bar of Arizona for bringing lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results without evidence, has entered the race on the Republican side as of now.

The intrigue: Republican lobbyist Marcus Dell'Artino told us he expects Fontes to try to show voters he's a "normal, run-of-the-mill election administrator" — which will be easier to do the further to the right his opponent is.

Yes, but: Republican lobbyist Brian Murray said he expects other GOP candidates to jump into the race.

What they're saying: "The secretary intends to continue making the case that he is here to protect the votes of all Arizona voters, regardless of party, and will push back against disinformation and dangerous fabrications that sow doubt about elections," campaign senior adviser Matt Grodsky said in a statement.