An election-denier's victory in a key swing state primary has political experts warning of dark times ahead.
Justin Heap's defeat of Republican incumbent Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer in Arizona Tuesday shocked and disturbed conservatives and liberals alike.
"Danger," wrote attorney and former diplomat Norm Eisen. "We cannot have an election denier in charge of Arizona’s biggest county."
Richer, whose office is in charge of early mail voting in the nation's fourth most populous county, made national headlines as he affirmed the 2020 presidential election Donald Trump lost was not rigged and said he'd vote for President Joe Biden.
"Richer is an American hero," Eisen wrote. "The Republican party no longer deserves its name."
"Richer is a decent man who stands for facts and served with integrity," replied CNN Senior Investigative Kyung Lah. "This is a loss for Arizona and public servants who boldly speak the truth."
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Richer will remain in office through the end of the year and will administer the 2024 election.
Heap, an Arizona state representative, has called Maricopa elections a “laughingstock” and supported legislation linked to election conspiracy theories, including bills that would eliminate the option to vote early for a large slate of Arizona voters, reports show.
He'll face Democrat challenger attorney Tim Stringham in the Nov. 5 general election.
A hoard of conservatives said publicly they mourned Richer's defeat.
"Absolutely crushed with disappointment," conservative X user Arizona Political wrote. "Richer will be remembered as one of the most consequential public servants in Arizona history, at least by me. He withstood death threats and attacks to his reputation."
"I’ve known @stephen_richer since he was an 18-year-old kid running around Butler Residence Hall, a happy warrior for conservatism when most of his peers were apolitical or far to his left," wrote political consultant Lewis Lowe. "Kudos to him for sticking with those same principles long after his party abandoned them."
"Sucks," wrote the Bulwark's Tim Miller. "Much love and gratitude to @stephen_richer and the rest who took abuse for doing their jobs with integrity in Maricopa County."
