{{Short description|American politician}} {{distinguish|text=Alex Kolodkin, the American neuroscientist}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Alex Kolodin | image = Alexander Kolodin by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg | caption = Kolodin in 2022 | state_house = Arizona | district = 3rd | alongside = Cody Reim | term_start = January 9, 2023 | term_end = | predecessor = Alma Hernandez | successor = | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|37|2024|11|5}} | birth_place = Chandler, Arizona, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | education = Georgetown University (BA)<br>University of Pennsylvania (JD) | signature = Alexander Kolodin Signature.png | website = {{url|alexforaz.com|Campaign website}} }} '''Alexander Kolodin''' (born 1986/1987)<ref>{{cite web | title=Kolodin, Alexander - Arizona Education Voter Guide | date=September 27, 2024 | url=https://www.azeducationvoterguide.com/candidate/state-house/kolodin-alexander }}</ref> is an American lawyer, politician and Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives elected to represent District 3 in 2022. He is a member of the Arizona Freedom Caucus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sievers |first=Caitlin |date=2025-03-31 |title=Arizona Freedom Caucus member Kolodin running for secretary of state in 2026 |url=https://azmirror.com/2025/03/31/arizona-freedom-caucus-member-kolodin-running-for-secretary-of-state-in-2026/ |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=Arizona Mirror |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Kolodin graduated from Georgetown University, prior to becoming an English and civics teacher. He then attended law school at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a Reagan Fellow at the Goldwater Institute, and also owned his own law practice.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alexforaz.com/meet-alex/ |publisher=Alexander Kolodin for AZ House |title=Meet Alex |work=Kolodin for State House - |date=May 23, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> He is Jewish.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sievers |first=Caitlin |title=AZ House Elections Committee: Don't say 'conspiracy theory' |url=http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report//031023_gop_speech_limits/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=TucsonSentinel.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Legal career== According to Kolodin's campaign website, he began litigating for election integrity in 2014.<ref name="alexforaz.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.alexforaz.com/record/ | title=Record - Kolodin for State House | work=Kolodin for State House - | date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref> Before the 2020 election, Kolodin won an Arizona Supreme Court case against Adrian Fontes for sending out instructions that voters could cross out votes, an instruction Kolodin accused Fontes of being ripe to cause fraud.<ref name="alexforaz.com"/>
Kolodin came to prominence when he filed lawsuits to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Arizona.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thedgt.org/gop-lawyer-filed-a-legal-bag-of-trash-to-overturn-election/ | title=GOP Lawyer Filed a Legal Bag of Trash to Overturn Election | date=December 11, 2020 }}</ref> Kolodin also represented those involved in the alternate elector plan, arguing in an August 2022 court filing to block the January 6th committee from accessing the phone records of the Republican Party chair, that "Trump electors simply created a backup plan in case legal challenges to Arizona’s outcome were successful."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Yvonne Wingett |date=2023-07-13 |title=Arizona escalates probe into alleged efforts to swing election for Trump |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/07/13/investigation-2020-election-results-arizona-trump/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Kolodin represented the alternate electors as part of a broader effort to overturn the 2020 election in Congress.<ref name="alexforaz.com"/> Kolodin reports on his campaign webpage, "The evidence collected during that trial was used by Congress to decide whether to accept the results of the election - and was a large reason why so many members of Congress objected to the results."<ref name="alexforaz.com"/> Kolodin also represented the CyberNinjas audit team when the Democratic Party attempted to stop the audit.<ref name="alexforaz.com"/>
In April 2023, Kolodin defended lawmaker Liz Harris, a QAnon adherent, who was expelled by the legislature for lying to the ethics committee, as part of a probe investigating Harris inviting a conspiracy theorist to present harmful and damaging information impugning the reputation of fellow legislative members and the LDS church.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Services |first=Howard Fischer Capitol Media |date=2023-04-16 |title=Scottsdale lawmaker slams colleague's ouster |url=https://www.scottsdale.org/city_news/scottsdale-lawmaker-slams-colleague-s-ouster/article_981f5b78-db40-11ed-b396-4b045c57e6e2.html |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Scottsdale Progress |language=en}}</ref> Kolodin later stated Harris made an error in judgment hosting the hearing which aired several conspiracy theories, but did not address fellow lawmakers' allegations that while before the Ethics Committee, Harris lied about her involvement during the public committee hearing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TV |first=Arizona Capitol |date=2023-04-13 |title=Rep. Kolodin: Harris 'made an error in judgement' |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/rep-kolodin-harris-made-an-error-in-judgement/video_fb2e5685-e1cd-5da8-9c35-6088c922649f.html |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Arizona Daily Star |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2023, Kolodin supported a bill to allow hand counting of votes, thus discouraging the use of voting machines.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-21 |title=Arizona Legislature Sends Bill Permitting Hand Counting to Governor |url=https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/arizona-legislature-sends-bill-permitting-hand-counting-to-governor/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Democracy Docket |language=en-US}}</ref> The same month, Kolodin unsuccessfully sued to end no-excuse mail-in early voting in Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Christie |first=Bob |date=2023-06-03 |title=Scottsdale lawmaker loses GOP legal bid to end early voting in Arizona |url=https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/scottsdale-lawmaker-loses-legal-bid-to-end-early-voting-in-arizona,399974 |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=The Daily Independent at YourValley.net |language=en}}</ref> Kolodin represented the group Clean Elections USA after they were involved in a lawsuit for violations of the Voting Rights Act.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gilbert |first=Daniel |date=May 21, 2023 |title=Groups settle Arizona lawsuit over voter intimidation at ballot boxes |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/21/arizona-lawsuit-voter-intimidation/}}</ref>
Kolodin also represented the CyberNinjas after it was commissioned by the Arizona Senate to conduct an audit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-28 |title=I'm Starting to Lose Faith in the Cyber Ninjas |url=https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a36279389/arizona-election-audit-cyber-ninjas/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Esquire |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, when the House Select Committee to Investigate January 6 subpoenaed the phone records of Republican Party Chair Kelly Ward, Kolodin represented Ward in the appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court to block access to her records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crane |first=Steve |date=2022-10-28 |title=Supreme Court delays order that Ward give phone records to Jan. 6 panel |url=https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2022/10/27/supreme-court-delays-order-that-ward-give-phone-records-to-jan-6-panel/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Cronkite News |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, Kolodin successfully represented Congressman Paul Gosar before the Arizona Supreme Court in a suit seeking to bar him from the Arizona ballot on Fourteenth Amendment grounds.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://law.justia.com/cases/arizona/supreme-court/2022/cv-22-0099-ap-el.html | title=THOMAS HANSEN et al v MARK FINCHEM et al (Decision Order) }}</ref> The following year, Kolodin praised the ruling, while criticizing Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who expressed public disappointment he would not be able to keep former President Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot in Arizona in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Report |first1=N. E. Valley Times |title=Kolodin: "Sorry that my friends and I spoiled your plans" |url=https://nevalleytimes.com/stories/649524727-kolodin-sorry-that-my-friends-and-i-spoiled-your-plans |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=NE Valley Times |language=en}}</ref>
In December 2023, Kolodin received an admonition by the Arizona Bar for his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including acting as local Counsel for Sidney Powell's election fraud case in Arizona.<ref name="azmirror.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.azmirror.com/2023/12/14/gop-lawmaker-alexander-kolodin-sanctioned-for-2020-kraken-lawsuit-other-election-cases/ | title=GOP lawmaker Alexander Kolodin sanctioned for 2020 'kraken' lawsuit, other election cases | date=December 14, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2023/12/15/kolodin-agrees-to-bar-discipline-in-connection-with-election-challenges/ | title=Kolodin agrees to Bar discipline in connection with election challenges | date=December 15, 2023 }}</ref> Kolodin also filed a lawsuit alleging Sharpies were a cause of ballot fraud in a conspiracy known as #Sharpiegate, which was also scrutinized by the bar.<ref name="azmirror.com"/>
==Water rights==
In 2023, Kolodin introduced multiple bills aimed at addressing the water crises both throughout Arizona and particularly in the Rio Verde foothills.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paredez |first1=Ashley |title=Latest push for solutions for Rio Verde Foothills as water woes continue |url=https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/latest-push-for-solutions-for-rio-verde-foothills |website=ABC |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=28 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AZ doesn't track how many communities at risk of running out of water |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-water/2023/04/13/arizona-doesnt-keep-track-of-unincorporated-communities-at-risk-of-running-out-of-water/69978444007/ |website=AZ Central |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=13 April 2023}}</ref> These efforts ranged from attempts to guarantee water to the citizens of the Foothills and barring Maricopa County from issuing new building permits to the community while long-term solutions are worked out, amongst others.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Neff |first1=Terri Jo |title=Emergency Bill Could Reopen Scottsdale Water Tap For Rio Verde Foothills Residents |url=https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2023/02/14/emergency-bill-could-reopen-scottsdale-water-tap-for-rio-verde-foothills-residents/ |website=Arizona Independent News Network |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=14 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=With clock ticking, Arizona lawmakers float ideas to help Rio Verde Foothills |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-water/2023/03/30/lawmakers-propose-rio-verde-foothills-water-solutions/70058025007/ |website=AZ Central |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=30 March 2023}}</ref> On April 10, 2023, Kolodin's bill to secure water for Rio Verde passed the House with a bipartisan supermajority.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill History for HB2561 |url=https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/79200 |website=Bill Status Inquiry - AZ Leg. Website |publisher=Arizona State Legislature |access-date=11 May 2023 |quote=Ayes 46 Nays 13 NV 0 Exc 0 Vac 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tweet from @realAlexKolodin|last1=Kolodin |first1=Alex |url=https://twitter.com/realAlexKolodin/status/1656449765285199872 |website=Twitter |access-date=10 May 2023 |date=10 May 2023 |quote=Also passed my bill (sponsored by all three LD3 members) to end Rio Verde water crisis w/supermajority!}}</ref> It was eventually signed into law and water was restored.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scottsdale.org/city_news/scottsdale-to-resume-sending-water-to-rio-verde-foothills/article_37f4f5d6-4ddd-11ee-851e-bbf8fbd32569.html | title=Scottsdale to resume sending water to Rio Verde Foothills | date=September 7, 2023 }}</ref>
==Election reform legislation== In 2024, Kolodin sponsored a bill to resolve conflicts between Arizona election law and the federal Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022. The bill, which was ultimately signed into law, was touted by supporters as "put[ting] into law critical election integrity reforms to improve election procedures and strengthen voter confidence" such as legally binding signature verification rules for confirming the identity of early voters, the public posting of the system log files, and improvements to the chain of custody for handling ballots.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2024/02/11/hobbs-reluctantly-signs-election-integrity-bill/#google_vignette | title=Hobbs Reluctantly Signs Election Integrity Bill | date=February 12, 2024 }}</ref> Governor Katie Hobbs acknowledged that she "really didn’t get anything out of the deal[,]" <ref>{{cite web | url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2024/02/09/hobbs-played-defense-on-election-deadline-fix/ | title=Hobbs played defense on election deadline fix | Arizona Capitol Times | date=February 10, 2024 }}</ref> but nonetheless touted the bill as a "bipartisan compromise[.]" <ref>{{cite web | url=https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2024/02/governor-katie-hobbs-signs-hb2785-ensuring-free-fair-and-secure#:~:text=Transcript%3A,heard%20at%20the%20ballot%20box. | title=Governor Katie Hobbs Signs HB2785, Ensuring Free, Fair, and Secure Elections in Arizona | date=February 9, 2024 }}</ref>
==Big Tech and censorship== On September 4, 2023, Kolodin and Kari Lake supported findings presented in the House Big Tech Committee meeting that Google played a substantial role in election influence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AZ Republicans' new conspiracy: Big Tech bias against conservatives costs them elections - Raw Story |url=https://www.rawstory.com/arizona-gop-2664979818/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=www.rawstory.com |language=en}}</ref> In the hearing a psychology researcher explained that Google played a role in shaping the 2016 election to favor Hillary Clinton and in 2022 cost Kari Lake her election. In 2016 Clinton hired Google CEO Eric Schmidt as her tech advisor.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-01 |title=Leaked emails show Eric Schmidt played a crucial role in Team Hillary's election tech |url=https://qz.com/823922/eric-schmidt-played-a-crucial-role-in-team-hillarys-election-tech |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref>
==Elections== *2022: Kolodin and Joseph Chaplik won a crowded primary, including defeating former State Representative Darin Mitchell. They went on to run unopposed in the general election.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/unofficial-results-chaplik-kolodin-unopposed-in-ld3-house-election,341411 |title=Update: Chaplik, Kolodin maintain in LD3 House election |publisher=Daily Independent |access-date=January 7, 2023 |date=November 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fhtimes.com/news/club_news/tom-horne-alex-kolodin-spoke-to-republican-club/article_a10a63b2-fa06-11eb-a527-1769d63d166d.html |title=Tom Horne, Alex Kolodin spoke to Republican Club |publisher=The Fountain Hills Times |date=August 11, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://ballotpedia.org/Alexander_Kolodin Biography] at Ballotpedia
{{Arizona House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kolodin, Alexander}} Category:1980s births Category:21st-century American Jews Category:21st-century members of the Arizona State Legislature Category:Georgetown University alumni Category:Jewish state legislators in Arizona Category:Living people Category:People from Scottsdale, Arizona Category:Politicians from Scottsdale, Arizona Category:Republican Party members of the Arizona House of Representatives Category:Year of birth missing (living people)