Candidate Profile: Stephen Richer For Maricopa County Recorder

The 2020 election is heating up in Arizona with plenty of candidates vying for office. While there is a huge emphasis on the presidential election, voters will also decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Stephen Richer, a Phoenix resident is running for Maricopa County Recorder.

Age: 35
Party affiliation: Republican Party
Family: Wife is also an attorney. We met at during our first year at The University of Chicago Law School — one of the few happy things to happen during law school. We live in South Phoenix. My sister and her family live in Tucson. I have a grandmother in Scottsdale.
Occupation: Attorney (transactional law, Lewis Roca); Businessman (over the years, everything from a bar, to a tutoring outfit, to an online calendaring service to, currently, heavy equipment)
Previous elected experience: None. First time running for office. I won the primary in August.
Family members in government: Yes. Wife currently works for the United States Federal Court for the District of Arizona.
Campaign website: https://www.richerforrecorder....

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Coronavirus.

Make sure county residents understand the changes made to this election administration so they can vote safely and have confidence in the process.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I'm not the most arrogant person in the world; my opponent quite possibly is. I'd be respectful toward, and appreciate the input of, the Secretary of State, the County Attorney, the Attorney General, and the Board of Supervisors.

I've never messed up an election so badly that it led to voters being disenfranchised. My opponent did (see August 2018).

I've never had scores of articles with similar headlines written about me in The Arizona Republic by Elvia Diaz, Laurie Roberts, Abe Kwok, Jessica Boehm, and others: "Adrian Fontes is ruining his career -- and our confidence in the midterm election."

I've never been subject to a temporary restraining order for impending violation of election law, even after having been told to stop by Secretary Hobbs, the Board of Supervisors, and the Attorney General. My opponent has been.

I've never had the following written about me by the Supreme Court of Arizona: "we are troubled by the opaqueness of the process evidence by Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes..."

I've never been mocked by liberal Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts as "Mr. Transparency." My opponent has.

I've never ignored a legitimate public records request for over a year. My opponent has repeatedly.

I've never insulted an Arizona elected official -- Democrat or Republican -- other than the one I'm currently running against. My opponent has called multiple state legislators "fascists" or "full of shit." This is inappropriate for the person who is supposed to be the neutral arbiter of election process.

I've never told a customer or a constituent to "F off" and then made a mom joke. My opponent has. The Arizona Republic: "Maricopa County elections boss tells voter criticizing mail-in ballot to 'go F- yourself'"

I've never been told a respected federal judge that I'm incompetent and that my behavior "borders on the egregious and stems from an apparent laxity and indifference toward his professional responsibilities." My opponent has been.

I've never been charged with a felony. My opponent has been.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I'm a no drama guy. I just want to deliver fair, competent elections. I've started and managed multiple successful ventures and have never been the subject of controversy, complaint, or alleged wrongdoing.

I've also consistently given to various communities. In 2006, I was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Gold Class, by President George W. Bush for the rescue, recovery, and rebuilding work I did in the Gulf South following Hurricane Katrina.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

My heart goes out the many, many individuals who have been adversely affected by coronavirus. I will be as judicious as possible with the use of county dollars at the Recorder's Office such that more dollars can be spent on assisting individuals in need.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?

EVERY Maricopa County resident will be treated excellently by my office. Full stop. No matter your race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sex, political party, or other characteristic, you will be a valued customer of my office, and I will do everything in my power to make sure you have a positive experience.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Make the Recorder's Office Boring again. Fair and competent elections. That's it.

PROBLEM: The Recorder’s Office has been unfairly partisan (e.g. sending “community relations” personnel to liberal events to register voters, but not conservative events).

OUR SOLUTION: We will assemble an oversight board of leaders from all parties that will meet monthly to make sure the Recorder’s Office is fairly executing its responsibilities.

PROBLEM: The Recorder’s Office made several last-minute, unilateral changes to long-standing election administration policy that caused confusion and doubt (e.g. ballot curing and emergency voting centers).

OUR SOLUTION: Any changes we make to election administration will be documented in writing, with explanations and reasoning, and will be released well ahead of major elections.

PROBLEM: The Recorder’s Office hasn’t followed the law.

OUR SOLUTION: We will let the County Attorney’s Office do its job and act as our attorney instead of making our own, unsubstantiated legal decisions. Any decisions we make that deal with legally sensitive areas will be accompanied by a legal memorandum explaining our legal authority for our actions.

PROBLEM: The Recorder mismanaged the August 2018 primary and the November 2018 general election.

OUR SOLUTION: Instead of hiring political hacks, our top spots will go to experienced business, elections, and management professionals.

PROBLEM: The Recorder has been abusive toward voters.

OUR SOLUTION: We will treat every Maricopa County resident as a valued customer, have a customer support team, and will ask for regular feedback to make sure we provide a high level of service to our 4.5 million customers.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I don't want to be the opposite political side of the bad penny that is Adrian Fontes. I just want to do this thing right.