WASHINGTON, DC – Country First, led by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), today announced its endorsements for the 2022 election cycle. All candidates endorsed have shown a commitment to standing for truth and defending democracy.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical we elect leaders up and down the ballot who are loyal to the Constitution and willing to be a bulwark for democracy – regardless of their political party affiliation,” Rep. Kinzinger said. “We must set partisan politics and ideology aside in order to preserve our nation’s democracy and demand accountability in our leaders. I’m proud to endorse this slate of candidates that are ready to put our country and the American people first.”

Country First will be investing in each of these races in the ways it deems most helpful, including fundraising, advertising, texting, grassroots support, and GOTV – the same strategy it successfully employed throughout the primaries.

Kinzinger was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in November 2003 and later awarded his pilot wings. Kinzinger was initially a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot and flew missions in South America, Guam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He later switched to flying the RC-26 surveillance aircraft and was stationed in Iraq twice.

The full list of 2022 candidates endorsed by Country First can be found at www.country1st.com/endorsed and include:

* Sen. Lisa Murkowski, for U.S. Senator from Alaska (R)

** Murkowski courageously put her country before the party by voting to convict Donald Trump at his impeachment trial, the only Republican to do so who is up for re-election this cycle. Throughout her tenure in the Senate, she has been a model for bi-partisan bridge building. Her opponent has been endorsed by Trump and continues to help perpetuate the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

* Evan McMullin, for U.S. Senator from Utah (I)


** McMullin is an independent conservative voice who has built bi-partisan coalitions to ensure our country and its people come before party and politics. His opponent, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R), has been endorsed by Trump and continues to fuel conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen.

* Josh Shapiro, for Governor of Pennsylvania (D)

** Shapiro is a staunch defender of our democratic institutions and will lead the state with integrity. His opponent, Doug Mastriano, is an election denier who has spread dangerous conspiracy theories, fought to overturn Pennsylvania’s election results, and was present at the Capitol on January 6th after paying to bus people from Pennsylvania to D.C.

* Katie Hobbs, for Governor of Arizona (D)

** As the current Arizona Secretary of State, Hobbs has been a staunch defender of our democratic institutions, despite threats of violence, and will lead the state with integrity. Her opponent, Kari Lake, is an election denier who has spread dangerous conspiracy theories, advocated for overturning Arizona’s election results, and demonstrates greater loyalty to Donald Trump than to our constitution and institutions.

* Brad Raffensperger, for Georgia Secretary of State (R)

** Raffensperger has proven he has the experience, integrity, and courage to serve Georgians again in that office. As the top election official in Georgia, he overcame tremendous pressure from Donald Trump and his supporters to “find” enough votes to declare Trump the winner. Few politicians are willing to risk their careers to do the right thing, which is why it’s so important to support those, like Brad Raffensperger, who do.

* Adrian Fontes, for Arizona Secretary of State candidate (D)

** Fontes has proven he has the experience and integrity to serve as Secretary of State, the top election official in Arizona. His opponent is an extremist election denier who masterminded the bogus Arizona Audit and demonstrates greater loyalty to Donald Trump than to our constitution and institutions.

* Cisco Aguilar, for Nevada Secretary of State (D)

** Aguilar has proven he has the experience and integrity to serve as Secretary of State, the top election official in Nevada. His opponent is an extremist election denier who demonstrates greater loyalty to Donald Trump than to our constitution and institutions.

* Steve Simon, for Minnesota Secretary of State (D)

** Simon, the incumbent Secretary of State, has proven he has the experience and integrity to continue as the top election official in Minnesota. His opponent is an extremist election denier who demonstrates greater loyalty to Donald Trump than to our constitution and institutions.

* Jocelyn Benson, for Michigan Secretary of State (D)

** Benson, the incumbent Secretary of State, has proven she has the experience and integrity to continue as the top election official in Minnesota. Her opponent is an extremist election denier who demonstrates greater loyalty to Donald Trump than to our constitution and institutions.

* Clint Smith, candidate for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District (I)

** Smith is the epitome of a Country First candidate, someone devoted to the country before party, and who felt compelled to run as an independent after extreme elements of the GOP sought to overturn Arizona’s election results. His opponent, Rep. Andy Biggs, is actively using his position in Congress to undermine the foundations of American democracy and perpetuate the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

* Larry Lazor, for Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District (R)

** Lazor is the epitome of a Country First candidate, someone devoted to country before party, and who insists the GOP must break from “the dishonest narrative and divisive vitriol that led to the January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol.” Lazor and his campaign can serve as an important model for Republicans of good conscience to follow.

* Thomas Knecht, for State Representative in Minnesota HD49B (R)

** Knecht is the epitome of a Country First candidate, someone devoted to the country before party, and who wants to build bridges to combat polarization and partisanship in the Minnesota House. Knecht and his campaign can serve as an important model for Republicans of good conscience to follow.

Learn more at CountryFirst

With more than 200,000 grassroots members, Country First is a cross-partisan movement that belongs to reasonable people of goodwill from all parties and of none. While we may not agree on every policy, we believe in working together to defend democracy, stand for truth, solve problems, and mend divisions. All are welcome to join at Country1st.com

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