In posts on social media, the AZGP said gubernatorial candidates Risa Lombardo and Lisa Castillo, and secretary of state candidate Duwayne Collier appeared to be Republicans running as Green candidates to split the vote between Republicans and Democrats. The party has raised awareness about the candidates since December, but there’s been more evidence lately suggesting the candidates are affiliated with the Republican Party.

Lombardo was a registered Republican until March 2025, when she reregistered as a Green. In 2025, after registering as a Green candidate, Lombardo received two payments from the Legislative District 2 Republicans that appeared to be reimbursements for postage used to send letters to Republican precinct committeemen.

Additionally, it appears that Lombardo’s husband, Michael, is an active member of the LD2 Republicans and currently serves as the chair of the LD2 membership committee. Lombardo did not immediately respond to a request for comment and is currently fending off two legal challenges claiming she did not collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Collier and Castillo appear to have worked as paid petition circulators for Republican Corporation Commissioners Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers, according to campaign finance records. Castillo originally filed a statement of interest in the AZGP gubernatorial primary, but did not make the ballot.

AZGP is no stranger to “sham” candidates attempting to hijack the party’s ballot line. A candidate unknown to the AZGP tried to primary the party’s preferred candidate during the special election for Congressional District 7 last year.

Additionally, former state Rep. Steve May, a Republican, recruited a group of homeless Arizonans to run as Green candidates in 2010 to pull votes from Democrats.

If No Labels/Arizona Independent Party candidate Hugh Lytle survives his legal challenges, he and Lombardo could siphon votes from one of the two major party candidates for governor.

Political consultants say third party candidates are more likely to harm incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.