Republican voters in Maricopa County, Arizona’s largest county, have voted out Stephen Richer, the top elections official, in the primary election for Maricopa County recorder. Richer, who defended the state’s voting system against claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, lost to State Representative Justin Heap.
The campaign highlighted a deep divide within Arizona’s Republican Party, contrasting Trump-aligned members with establishment Republicans. This result could significantly impact voting procedures in Maricopa County, which encompasses Phoenix and its suburbs and often shapes the state's political direction.
Richer, as county recorder, managed mail-in voting and voter registration, roles that have become controversial due to allegations of election fraud. Initially claiming to be a proponent of election integrity, he angered conservatives by rejecting claims of election fraud after taking office. He campaigned as a conservative who had increased transparency, improved voter roll accuracy, and enhanced verification procedures for voter signatures and ballot tracking.
He had the support of former Republican governors Jan Brewer and Doug Ducey. However, Richer faced backlash for asserting that the 2020 election was not stolen from President Trump. Heap will compete against Democrat Timothy Stringham, a military veteran, in the November general election.
Richer has also been criticized for dismissing concerns about Maricopa County’s election integrity, which he had claimed to support during his 2020 campaign. He allegedly lobbied against a voter ID ballot amendment and started a political action committee to support candidates who shared his views. Richer also oversaw the 2022 midterm elections in Maricopa County, which were marred by controversies, and he dismissed voters’ concerns as conspiracy theories.
Leading up to the primary, Richer's campaign was troubled by reports of support from a leftist group funded by Democrat megadonor Reid Hoffman. AZ Free News reported that a mailer supporting Richer was paid for by Women for Justice, using funds from Hoffman, LinkedIn's founder and a major Democrat supporter. Hoffman recently faced criticism for comments about former President Trump, though he later condemned an assassination attempt on Trump’s life and clarified his remarks.
When asked by The Federalist about the financial support from Women for Justice and Hoffman, Richer responded via email but declined to address the question directly.
Kari Lake also secured her victory in the Republican primary in Arizona on Tuesday and will now face Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego in what is anticipated to be one of the most closely watched and contentious U.S. Senate races in the 2024 general election.
Lake, a former news anchor, has gained national prominence as one of President Trump's staunchest defenders, known for her push towards election awareness and frequent attacks on the media as “fake news.” The 54-year-old Republican emerged victorious over two other primary candidates, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and Elizabeth Jean Reye, in a race where she had long been considered the frontrunner.
