The famous Maricopa County, Arizona, has one local elected official who can’t seem to have a calm year. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has been in the spotlight for two years. Richer is the elected official in charge of overseeing elections in the county, along with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. He has become a target for many Arizona Republicans because, despite being a Republican himself, he has stood up for the integrity of elections and corrected baseless conspiracy theories about widespread fraud. He’s also up for reelection in the July 30 primary election. 

Richer sued former gubernatorial candidate and now Senate candidate Kari Lake in 2023 for defamation following her claim that she lost her 2022 race because of fraud. Lawyers defending Lake asked a judge to schedule a hearing to determine what, if any, damages are owed to Richer. Richer said in a statement following the trial, “Because of their actions, my family and I have faced an endless barrage of threats — including calls for our execution — I have lost close personal relationships, and I have had my reputation irreparably damaged. I have said from the beginning that no one is above the rule of law, and today further validates that belief.”