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Maricopa County Supervisor moved to an undisclosed location for his safety
Bill Gates confirms that he was taken to an undisclosed location for his safety and provided extra security from the sheriff's office. Other county officials have reported receiving calls they considered threatening from campaign volunteers.
PHOENIX - Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates has confirmed that he moved to an undisclosed location for his safety after security concerns connected to the 2022 midterm elections.
Deputies from the sheriff's office are also providing a security detail, officials said.
Gates, a Republican and one of the leaders of the Maricopa County Elections Department, has been a fierce defender of the county's election system and an outspoken critic of false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
In a similar vein, Gates has continued to defend the county against continued claims of fraud during the midterms. Some have focused on an issue with printers on Election Day that led to numerous tabulation machines being unable to read some ballots.
His stance has caused a slew of backlash online and in person. Some people were seen launching verbal attacks on Gates during a meeting with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors earlier this week.
Other county officials have reported receiving calls they considered threatening from campaign volunteers.
There has been no evidence of widespread fraud or manipulation of voting machines in 2020 or during this year’s midterm elections.
MSCO holds news conference
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'That's Not Acceptable': Maricopa County Sheriff addresses threats made to election officials
During a news conference on Nov. 21, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone called on people to stop making threats to elected officials, or they will be prosecuted. FOX 10's Stephanie Bennett reports.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone held a news conference on threats to elected officials on Nov. 21.
"This last election, have there been threats? Absolutely. Has it been against any one singular individual? No. It was threats were cast broad and wide," said Sheriff Penzone. "They were irresponsible and they were arrogant and they were selfish and they were criminal."
While no arrests have been made in connection with the threats, Sheriff Penzone said all threats will be investigated. Sheriff Penzone also said threats to election officials have been coming in all forms – on social media, e-mails phone calls, and in-person. Many of them came from out of state.
"We do not need interference from people outside the state to tell us how to run an election, or what elected officials are deserving to be in their positions," said Sheriff Penzone. "We get to choose. You don't. And you don't get to threaten the people that lead this state. That's not acceptable. And we're not going to tolerate it."
More election news
- Cochise County leaders end hand-count lawsuit, cite recount
- Arizona faces prospect of vote recount amid extremely tight races
- 'Unmitigated disaster': Prominent Arizona Republican calls for changes within the party
- Election-related complaints fly during Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting
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Election critics lash out during Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting
A Twitter account associated with the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake urged supporters to attend the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting on the morning of Nov. 16, and sparks flew at times during the meeting. FOX 10's Steve Nielsen reports.