Wednesday nights Republican presidential candidate debate veered into well-trod territory, including China, transgender rights and immigration, for the party faithful.

While those questions were asked by the moderators of the debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a question on election security was entrusted to an unexpected source: a conservative activist who had coached former President Donald Trump to falsely claim victory in 2020 and who is likely one of the unindicted co-conspirators listed in the Georgia criminal case against Trump for allegedly trying to overturn its 2020 presidential election results.

Many Republicans are concerned about the legitimacy of elections, said Tom Fitton, president of the right-wing activist group Judicial Watch, who joined in as a guest questioner via a video hookup at the debate that didnt include Trump.

What should states do now to increase election integrity and voter confidence for the 2024 election? Fitton asked, directing his question first to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Fitton also asked former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie about restoring public faith in federal law enforcement agencies after they had, he said, gone after Trump while treating his 2016 presidential rival Hillary Clinton and the 2020 presidential winner Joe Biden with kid gloves.