NBC News reported that incumbent Stephen Richer had been defeated by State Rep. Justin Heap in the Republican primary for Maricopa County recorder.
Stephen Richer, who served as Maricopa County recorder, was unseated in the Republican primary. Richer lost to State Representative Justin Heap, who secured 42.4% of the vote compared to Richer's 35.9%. An additional candidate, Don Hiatt, garnered 21.8% of the vote.
Richer has been a staunch defender of the swing state's election integrity and has consistently opposed unfounded allegations of voter fraud stemming from the 2020 and 2022 elections.
In contrast, Heap has been a critic of Maricopa County's election process and has refrained from taking a clear stance on the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
Heap received significant endorsements from influential Arizona Republicans, including Kari Lake, who is currently running for U.S. Senate. Kari Lake endorsed Heap, stating, "I am endorsing Justin Heap for the Maricopa County recorder because we want honest elections. We need a heap of honesty in our elections." This endorsement is indicative of the deep divisions within the party concerning election integrity.
The primary race for Maricopa County recorder, typically uneventful, became contentious this year as the county emerged as a focal point for election fraud claims. This resulted in increased scrutiny and pressure on the office and its incumbent, Stephen Richer.
During Arizona's 2022 election, malfunctions with ballot printers and vote tabulation machines prompted baseless claims of malevolent activity, pushing conspiracy theories against Richer. These allegations contributed to a highly charged atmosphere surrounding the primary election.
Richer faced death threats and continuous attacks throughout his tenure, including a particularly egregious threat from Shelby Busch, chair of Arizona's delegation to the 2024 Republican National Convention. At a live-streamed event on Rumble in Mesa on March 20, Busch threatened to "lynch" Richer.
This volatile environment has led to a difficult and dangerous election cycle for those involved in Maricopa County's electoral process. Despite the opposition, Richer maintained his defense of the county's election procedures until the end.
In a late June debate, Justin Heap argued that Richer's track record had harmed Arizona's national standing. Heap emphasized his concerns by stating, "I’m running for this office because Maricopa County’s elections made us a national laughing stock."
With the primary behind them, Justin Heap will now face Democrat Tim Stringham in the general election. Stringham encountered no competition within his party’s primary, setting the stage for a significant battle in the upcoming election.
The clash over the position of Maricopa County recorder underscores broader tensions within the political landscape regarding election integrity and security. Both candidates will likely center their campaigns around these highly scrutinized issues.
Stephen Richer's loss marks a notable shift in the direction of Maricopa County's election oversight, particularly as it relates to the ongoing debates about the fairness and accuracy of recent elections. Meanwhile, Justin Heap's victory may signal a shift towards more aggressive oversight and potential changes in how elections are conducted in Maricopa County.
