Maricopa County recorder deletes social media after flood of questions from election deniers – Washington Examiner

Annabella RosciglioneNovember 8, 2024

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has deleted his social media account amid ongoing harassment from election ‍deniers, who have cast doubt on the county’s electoral ‍processes ‌since the 2020 elections. Richer, ⁢a Republican, stated that this decision was a “post-election promise to⁤ myself” and reflects his exhaustion from trying to address the numerous inquiries and conspiracies surrounding the elections. He expressed that he had made efforts to be accessible and answer voter ‍questions throughout the election period, ⁤but ultimately wants to focus on what brings him happiness. Richer’s relationship ⁤with the Arizona GOP soured after⁢ he defended the security of the elections in the county, which has been a focal point for election-related conspiracies.

Maricopa County recorder deletes social media after flood of questions from election deniers

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer deleted his X account after growing tired of questions from election deniers, who have sowed doubt in the county’s elections for more than four years.

Since the 2020 election, Maricopa County, Arizona, has been a hotbed of election-related conspiracies. In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Richer, a Republican, said deleting his account was a “post-election promise to myself.”

“For 4 years, I tried to answer as many as many questions as possible and to be as accessible as possible. I’ve paid my ticket,” Richer said.

“I stayed on to make sure I answered as many voter questions as possible through Election Day. I get to do what makes me happy,” he continued.

The Arizona GOP turned on Richer during the 2020 election when he vouched for the county’s election security in the wake of now-President elect Donald Trump’s false claims that the election was stolen from him in Arizona. In 2020, Maricopa County voted for President Joe Biden by more than 45,000 votes over Trump.

Republican election deniers, including Republican Kari Lake, who Richer sued for defamation related to her election denialism, cost Richer his seat as he lost the GOP primary to Justin Heap. Heap has repeatedly shown distrust in Maricopa’s elections and has not publicly stated if he believed the 2020 or 2022 elections were fair, according to the Arizona Mirror.

Heap appears to be well-positioned to beat Democrat Tim Stringham in the 2024 election and will likely be Maricopa County’s next recorder. The Associated Press has not yet called this race.