Stringham Applauds Heap on His Strong Lead in Maricopa County Recorder Race

Democratic candidate Tim Stringham extended his congratulations to Republican state Rep. Justin Heap on Wednesday, acknowledging Heap’s likely victory in the Maricopa County Recorder race. In a statement on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Stringham noted that while the outcome was not yet finalized, he expressed his frustration with delays in the process.

As of 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, Heap was leading with approximately 65% of the votes counted, garnering 51.8% compared to Stringham’s 48.2%. Heap subsequently declared his victory, expressing gratitude for the trust the voters placed in him. He emphasized his commitment to improving election integrity, stating that past election controversies had tarnished the county’s reputation.

Heap’s agenda includes collaborating with state legislators to propose measures aimed at enhancing election efficiency and delivering results more swiftly. His previous tenure in the Arizona House of Representatives saw him supporting proposed laws linked to unverified election fraud conspiracy theories, including bans on electronic ballot tabulation and restrictions on early voting.

The contest for Maricopa County Recorder has revolved around the contentious topic of election integrity in a region plagued by conspiracy theories, particularly regarding the 2020 election. Heap’s primary victory over outgoing Recorder Stephen Richer was marked by controversy, as Richer faced backlash from some party members for his defense of election transparency.

Heap has been noncommittal about his stance on the integrity of the 2020 and 2022 elections. He acknowledged the influence of Republican Sen. Jake Hoffman, a figure linked to far-right affiliations, in shaping his campaign strategy. Hoffman, notably, is among the Arizona fake electors indicted for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Heap also discussed his intention to work with the Arizona Legislature to facilitate changes in election procedures. However, many of his proposed alterations, such as ensuring complete results on election night, fall outside the authority of the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office. Recent decisions by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have shifted some election administrative responsibilities away from the Recorder’s Office, a move that will take effect shortly before Heap assumes office.

The Board unanimously approved an agreement on October 23 to reallocate roles and responsibilities related to elections, primarily in the IT department, in an effort to create efficiencies. Details regarding the timing of these changes remain unclear, with officials declining to elaborate on the motivations behind revisiting the division of duties.

The new agreement stipulates that while the incoming Recorder will still manage several voter-related functions, oversight of IT services for elections will be transferred to the Board of Supervisors. The arrangement affects a $5 million budget designated for the Recorder’s IT needs, which will also shift to the board.

Stringham, who initially entered the race to prevent Heap’s election, acknowledged the challenges ahead, reminding supporters to remain focused on the ongoing ballot processing. His campaign, aimed at highlighting election integrity, underscores the critical nature of the issues at stake in Maricopa County’s electoral landscape.