Arizona election official who defended 2020 results ousted

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has lost his GOP primary for reelection, a notable upset in a critical election official's race, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ. 

Richer lost to Arizona Freedom Caucus member state Rep. Justin Heap for a role that manages voter rolls and early voting, among other responsibilities. 

Richer has refused to entertain election conspiracy theories and has defended the legitimacy of the 2020 and 2022 election results and Maricopa County Recorder’s office procedures.