MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — Another Republican member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has chosen not seek another term in office after the board has been subjected to accusations of malfeasance over its handling of the 2022 general election.
Supervisor Clint Hickman, whose district represents the West Valley, announced Thursday he won't pursue a third term on the board to instead spend more time with his family.
"I am choosing to give my undivided attention to my wife, children, family business, and friends. I couldn’t be more excited," Hickman said in a statement.
Hickman's colleague, Supervisor Bill Gates, previously announced he won't seek re-election either to the board.
Gates, also a Republican, was subjected to threats during the fallout of Arizona's 2022 general election when multiple GOP candidates lost statewide races. One of those losing candidates called for the county supervisors to "lose their jobs" or "resign in disgrace."
A Phoenix man was recently convicted of sending Gates an email that threatened to poison the elected official for trying to "cheat our voting system in Maricopa County."
Even though Gates insisted that every voter in the county had the opportunity to submit a ballot in 2022, the supervisors were blamed for a printing issue on Election Day that resulted in Republicans hurling allegations of misconduct.
The county supervisors also notably criticized and fought against Republican lawmakers conducting a months-long review of the county's ballots from the 2020 election after Joe Biden narrowly beat Donald Trump.
Gates praised Hickman for standing up against their own political party after the 2020 election.
"Chairman Hickman’s courage in standing up to this pressure as well as his commitment to doing the right thing have long inspired me and my colleagues to serve with the same integrity," Gates said in a statement Thursday.
The absence of Gates and Hickman on the board now opens the door for a new majority to hold the board's voting power. County records show three Republicans have already filed paperwork showing an interest in filling Hickman's seat in District 4.
With a growing population of over four million residents, Maricopa County's five-member board of supervisors oversee important services that provide public health, land development, infrastructure, and public safety.
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