PHOENIX — Stephen Richer, a staunch advocate for Maricopa County elections, has lost the Republican primary for county recorder, marking a significant shift in the county’s electoral administration. Once elected in 2020, Richer has been pivotal in defending the integrity of the electoral process amid numerous unfounded allegations.
Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and serves as Arizona’s population center, plays a crucial role in managing county elections. Richer was ousted by GOP challenger Justin Heap, a state representative aligned with the far-right Freedom Caucus and supported by various conservative factions. With 81% of estimated votes counted, Heap secured 42% of the vote, while Richer garnered 36%, and another contender received 22%.
Richer’s defeat is viewed as a setback for those who have worked diligently to uphold the credibility of Maricopa County’s elections against baseless criticism. He, alongside the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, has spearheaded initiatives to provide accurate information about the voting process, vote counting, and result timelines.
Over the past four years, Richer’s commitment to election integrity has drawn hostility from fellow Republicans, including a state party official who infamously called for violence against him in a leaked video. In a separate incident, a Missouri man was charged by federal prosecutors for allegedly threatening Richer due to his criticism of flawed election reviews conducted by some Republicans. Richer articulated the challenges, stating, “It takes a strong stomach to work in this field.”
Heap, who openly criticized the election administration under Richer, has distanced himself from claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 and 2022 elections during his campaign. Nevertheless, he has the backing of GOP legislators who support views that challenge the legitimacy of those elections. Notably, Heap was encouraged to run by state Sen. Jake Hoffman, who faced indictment for his involvement in a controversial “fake elector” scheme targeting the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Additionally, Heap has criticized Richer for issues related to polling place management, despite those responsibilities falling under different jurisdictions. Richer’s office oversees early voting, while Election Day operations are managed by supervisors. Meanwhile, military veteran Tim Stringham emerged victorious in the uncontested Democratic primary for the county recorder position.
