Deposition Reveals Maricopa County Recorder’s Remarks: He Promised to 'Make Life Hell' for Kari Lake

Newly surfaced evidence sheds light on Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer’s strong aversion to Republican Kari Lake.

Lake, a former Phoenix news anchor who became a conservative icon, narrowly lost the 2022 race for Arizona governor and is now in a close Senate contest against Democrat Ruben Gallego.

Maricopa County, where the recorder’s office plays a role in overseeing elections, is among the areas still counting ballots following Tuesday’s election.

After her defeat in 2022, Lake filed several lawsuits contesting the election’s conduct, though none succeeded in overturning the outcome.

The Daily Mail reports that Richer’s animosity toward Lake came to light in a June 21 deposition transcript, where he was questioned about a specific exchange with a friend.

Referring to a message Richer sent, the attorney questioning him said, “And your response is kind of a laundry list here of bullet points: Get out of politics permanently; get out of politics temporarily; run for reelection as a Republican; run for reelection as an independent; run for mayor if no Kate; and then finally run for U.S. Sen, just to fly the flag for real conservatism and make life hell for Kari. Did I read that correctly?”

“Yes,” Richer confirmed.

When asked, “Why would you want to make life hell for Kari Lake in March of 2023?” Richer responded, “I don’t remember. I don’t think she’s a real conservative.”

These statements were made in connection with a defamation lawsuit Richer has filed against Lake, a case he has called “frivolous.”

Following his defeat in his re-election bid on Tuesday, Richer deactivated his X account, stating that his loss meant he no longer felt obligated to respond publicly.

Lake’s race against Gallego remains ongoing.

As of Saturday evening, Lake trails Gallego by just one percentage point, with Gallego holding 1.41 million votes, or 49.5 percent, compared to Lake’s 1.38 million votes, or 48.4 percent.

With only 84 percent of ballots counted in Arizona, Lake still has a chance to make up the difference and potentially win the Senate seat.