(The Center Square) – Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman will not be seeking re-election.
In a statement, Hickman thanked his constituents in the West Valley.
“My family has been gracious and unselfish in supporting me as I’ve campaigned, served, held town halls and breakfasts with constituents, been part of early morning and late-night meetings about county business, made decisions that brought significant attention and had profound impact—all things that come with public service,” the Republican, said.
“I’m proud of this period of my life, but I want more time with my family,” he continued.
According to the county website, Hickman was appointed in 2013 and re-elected in both 2016 and 2020 to serve District 4.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has been the subject of scrutiny since 2020 following the loss of former President Donald Trump, as Arizona is a politically competitive state.
In 2022, the board, as well as other county elections officials, once again came into the limelight as Election Day brought along technical issues that later became the subject of lawsuits from Republicans, including Kari Lake.
For Hickman specifically, he was the subject of false claims in 2021 that suggested that ballots were destroyed in a fire that killed thousands of chickens, as he helps operate Hickman Egg Farms, according to PolitiFact.
In addition, a man from Iowa was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars in August for leaving threatening voicemails for Hickman and former Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich in 2021.
“Hello Mr. Hickman, I am glad that you are standing up for democracy and want to place your hand on the Bible and say that the election was honest and fair. I really appreciate that. When we come to lynch your stupid lying Commie [expletive], you’ll remember that you lied on the [expletive] Bible, you piece of [expletive]. You’re gonna die, you piece of [expletive]. We’re going to hang you. We’re going to hang you,” the man said in the voicemail to Hickman, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
Supervisor Bill Gates announced last year that he would not seek re-election either. However, other election officials who faced scrutiny, like Supervisor Thomas Galvin and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, are still seeking re-election.
It’s unclear at this time who will enter the race to fill Hickman’s seat.