On October 6, 2022, the U.S. Justice Department announced the arrest of an Iowa man who threatened to hang Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman. Supervisor Hickman released the following statement in response:
"I remember exactly where I was when I heard that voicemail. It was chilling. This wasn't a prank call. This wasn't protected speech. This was a serious threat to me and my family. I'm grateful to the Department of Justice and the FBI for taking this case seriously and making an arrest, and I'm pleased the U.S. Attorney General has set up a task force to address increased threats of violence to election workers and elected officials.
I can tell you, though, that is not enough. I've received numerous threats over the past two years. My colleagues on the Board have as well. The Recorder. And worst of all, county elections staff doing their job honorably are getting calls and emails threatening violence, calling them traitors. It's despicable.
And by and large, people in positions of power, in positions of leadership, in positions of influence here in Arizona are silent. How can you be silent?
So I'm speaking out today in hopes that others will follow. Whether it's a person who shares your politics or your worldview or not, no one should be subjected to this kind of hatred. And if we truly want to keep our country great, we will do everything we can to denounce threats against election workers and combat the disinformation that imperils our democracy."