Eli Crane repeatedly promoted unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, including public statements and op-eds, making him vulnerable to criticism for spreading misinformation (KJZZ, Washington Times).
Crane's campaign focus on "election integrity" and support for controversial Arizona audits tie him closely to "Stop the Steal" efforts, which have been widely discredited (Copper Courier, DCCC Press Release).
His proposals for restrictive voting laws---such as ending mail-in ballots and strengthening voter ID requirements---could be seen as targeting voter access and disproportionately affecting marginalized groups (Arizona Daily Sun, Arizona Capitol Times).
Crane's support for the ACE Act has been publicly criticized for potentially making it harder for disabled veterans and other vulnerable populations to vote (Arizona Daily Sun 9/9/23, Arizona Daily Sun 9/10/23).
At times, Crane has avoided explicit claims about fraud while continuing to advocate for restrictive changes, opening him to accusations of inconsistency or political opportunism (Maricopa Monitor).
2021: Eli Crane Identified Election Integrity As His Top Issue In an interview with Townhall, Eli Crane said, "Right now the most important issue to me is election integrity." [Interview - Eli Crane with Townhall, 7/21/21]
2022: Eli Crane Expressed Belief In Mass Fraud In The 2020 Election According to KJZZ, "During an interview on the Jocko Willink podcast, he talked about why he decided to run. 'I believe that there was massive fraud in this last election. For a bunch of different reasons,' he said." [KJZZ, 9/30/22]
Eli Crane Characterized the US-Mexico Border as an 'Invasion' and Listed Election Integrity as a Top Priority According to Copper Courier, 'He has characterized the state of the US-Mexico border as an 'invasion.' He also lists election integrity as one of his top priorities, which is based on the false idea that the 2020 election was rigged by Democrats.' [Copper Courier, 11/7/22]
Eli Crane Claimed 2020 Election Was Fraudulent and Supported Arizona Audit According to a press release from the DCCC Research Department, "Crane claimed that the 2020 election results were fraudulent, made a Bottle Breacher product to honor Trump's 'Kraken' legal team, and criticized Republicans for failing to 'stop the steal.' [...] Crane supported Arizona's Maricopa County audit of the 2020 election results." [Press Release - DCCC Research Memo, 9/8/22]
2022: Eli Crane Opposed 2020 Election Results and Claimed Widespread Fraud According to an opinion piece by Eli Crane in Washington Times, "My outspokenness against the widespread fraud of the 2020 election helped me earn endorsements from America First patriots such as Mark Finchem, Wendy Rogers, Sonny Borelli, Trump advisor Bernie Kerik, as well as Gregg Phillips and Catherine Engelbrecht of True the Vote." [Eli Crane - Washington Times, 7/24/22]
Eli Crane Supported Election Policy Changes Without Alleging 2020 Election Fraud According to Maricopa Monitor (AZ), "On elections, Crane stopped short of calling the 2020 election fraudulent, in Arizona or the nation, but said he supports a number of measures to change how Americans vote." [Maricopa Monitor (AZ), 7/30/21]
2022: Eli Crane's Website Outlined Proposals For Election Law Changes According to Arizona Daily Sun, "His website states: 'Eli knows that without fair elections, our Republic cannot be saved. Eli will fearlessly fight for clean elections and will push back aggressively against voter fraud. Arizona and America must reinstate Election Day voting, bolster polling sites, end unregulated mail-out balloting, and enact stronger voter ID laws and stiffer penalties for anyone caught harvesting ballots or found guilty of voter fraud.'" [Arizona Daily Sun, 10/1/22]
2022: Eli Crane Supported Claims Of 2020 Election Fraud And Advocated Stricter Voting Laws According to Arizona Capitol Times, "He subscribes to claims the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent and supports ending 'unregulated mail-out balloting,' and enacting stricter voter ID laws and harsher penalties for anyone, 'caught harvesting ballots or found guilty of voter fraud.'" [Arizona Capitol Times, 11/11/22]
2023: Letter Writer Paulette Yazzie Asserted Eli Crane Supported ACE Act and Anti-Uranium Mining Position According to a letter to the editor published in Arizona Daily Sun, "Eli Crane's support for the ACE Act would make it harder for communities like mine and many of my fellow disabled veterans to vote in elections." [Letter to the Editor - Arizona Daily Sun, 9/9/23]
2023: Letter Writer Paulette Yazzie Asserted Eli Crane Supported ACE Act According to a letter to the editor published in Arizona Daily Sun, "Eli Crane's support for the ACE Act would make it harder for communities like mine and many of my fellow disabled veterans to vote in elections." [Letter to the Editor - Arizona Daily Sun, 9/10/23]
Eli Crane Critiqued 'Cancel Culture' In 2023 According to Washington Examiner, 'I noticed how few people with influence are willing to talk about things that matter, and it seems like everybody that has a company or a platform, especially in the day and age of 'cancel culture,' is unwilling to do so,' said Crane. [Washington Examiner, 2/7/23]
July 2023: Eli Crane Sponsored Amendment To Ban Certain Recruitment Criteria In DOD According to Arizona Republic, "His amendment, which was eventually passed by a vote of 214-210, bans the Department of Defense from considering race, gender, religion, political affiliations or 'any other genealogical concepts' as the sole basis for recruitment training. Crane said this move 'would prohibit discrimination on the color of one's skin in the Armed Forces.'" [Arizona Republic, 7/15/23]