Las Vegas -- Former state legislator Jim Marchant captured the Republican nomination for Nevada secretary of state on Monday. This outcome places one of the state's leading voices on election-related theories in position to manage voting administration in a key presidential swing state.

The primary result from June 9 creates a November rematch against Democratic incumbent Cisco Aguilar, who defeated Marchant in the previous cycle four years ago.

The successful candidate will administer the 2028 presidential contest in Nevada, which supported President Donald Trump in 2024 following its support for Democrat Joe Biden in the prior election.

Marchant has repeatedly raised concerns about voting integrity in Nevada. He asserted that both he and Trump encountered fraud during the 2020 cycle, when Marchant lost his congressional bid in the state's 4th District to Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford, even though authorities identified no signs of broad irregularities.

He alleged issues with mail ballots, even though he utilized that voting option while registered in Florida.

In December 2020, Marchant appeared with six Nevada Republicans who endorsed alternate electoral documents asserting a Trump victory in the state, although Biden actually prevailed by over 33,000 votes. Those six individuals still face legal proceedings initiated by the attorney general.

The prior Republican secretary of state directed reviews of numerous fraud allegations from Republicans and determined they lacked foundation or were already addressed, directly countering thousands of claims. An Associated Press examination of potential fraud instances across the six contested states revealed fewer than 475 total cases, insufficient to alter outcomes. In Nevada, such instances amounted to under 0.3 percent of Biden's victory margin.

Marchant overcame Gov. Joe Lombardo's preferred candidate Shirley Folkins-Roberts, who rejected notions of widespread fraud, along with former legislator Sharron Angle. Folkins-Roberts conceded on Monday.

"Although significantly outspent, I am honored to once more be selected by Nevada conservatives as their representative in the secretary of state contest," Marchant stated.

Marchant reported no fundraising or expenditures before the primary. Folkins-Roberts spent roughly $11,000, while Angle spent $20,000 this year per recent finance disclosures.

If victorious, Marchant aims to remove electronic voting equipment and discontinue universal mail ballots. He also seeks mandatory paper ballots tallied manually, per his campaign site.

Aguilar, unopposed in the Democratic primary, has emphasized streamlining election operations and boosting participation. He noted legislation he advanced that classifies harassment of election workers as a felony.

During his term, Aguilar led adoption of an updated voter registration and election system and arranged a 2024 polling site at Allegiant Stadium.

In his statement, Marchant described the win as a "victory for voter ID." He backs voter identification requirements, a measure approved decisively in 2024 and returning to the ballot in November. Aguilar has described voter ID as addressing a nonexistent issue yet pledged to honor voter decisions and collaborate with officials to enhance election security.

Aguilar's campaign offered no immediate remarks on the GOP primary outcome.