Incumbent Stephen Richer was ousted in his Republican primary for Maricopa County recorder, an outcome that could have a major impact on how elections are administered in the nation’s most populous battleground county.

State Rep. Justin Heap had 42.4% support to 35.9% for Richer when The Associated Press called the race Wednesday morning. Don Hiatt, a candidate who worked in information management technology, took 21.8%.

Richer is an outspoken defender of the swing state’s election process who forcefully pushed back against the unfounded voter fraud claims that spread after the 2020 and 2022 races.