After decades of public service, Cochise County Recorder David Stevens announced he would be stepping down from his position on February 28, 2025.
While the news of his resignation stunned some, the fact that he cited the need to “prioritize” his “family and health,” surprised few if any friends and colleagues.
“It has been my greatest honor to serve the people of Cochise County for 16 years,” stated Stevens in his resignation letter. “I have enjoyed the time in the Legislature and the County working for Cochise County and the State of Arizona.”
“The county appreciates Recorder Stevens’ many years of dedicated service to the community,” read a release from Cochise County. “No further information is available at this time. The County will announce next steps regarding this vacancy as soon as details are finalized.”
A devoted family man, Stevens, who was re-elected by a substantial margin in November, would only leave office if he knew his constituents were going to be left in good hands, say supporters. With the newly elected Board of Supervisors majority sharing his same commitment to election integrity, Republican Party insiders say they are not concerned and only wish Stevens well.
“David has been a champion of the people,” said Republican political consultant Constantin Querard of Grassroots Partners, who has worked with Stevens going back to his early campaigns for State House. “From his first day on the job at the Legislature, David’s service to the public has been exemplary. No one questioned his honesty and dedication. Some of his political opponents have challenged his views, but not his integrity or his commitment to the people he served.”
Stevens began public service at the age of 17 when he joined the U.S. Army. While in the Army, Stevens received career training in computers which led him to a post at Fort Huachuca in 1981.
In total, he served 10 years in the Army, including service with both the Illinois National Guard and Arizona National Guard.
Having earned a B.S. in Computer Information Systems, Stevens retired from military service and began working in the IT field focusing on cybersecurity. According to the Arizona Legislature’s website, “In 2008 Stevens again served the nation as he went to Kuwait to provide Internet Security.”
Stevens, a resident of Sierra Vista since 1987, was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2009. While there, he championed cybersecurity, border security, and economic development.
It was while he was serving in the Legislature that he developed concerns about the security of our elections. Drafted to run for Recorder, Stevens brought his understanding of technology and Infrastructure to bear, advocating for audits to ensure that every vote was counted, and only legal votes should be counted.
Stevens, the only recorder in the state to have implemented some of the election laws he wrote or voted on, took grief for that advocacy in the wake of the 2020 and 2022 general elections. He was labeled a “conspiracy theorist” by left leaning “news” outlets because he publicly called for Arizona’s laws to be followed.
Stevens met the attacks with his usual dry humor, and they slide off his back.
It was only after his latest medical procedure for skin cancer that Stevens decided it was time – for now – to leave public service and enjoy time with his wife Cindy, who recently retired from the medical profession, and spend time with his kids and grandchildren in Alabama.
One of Stevens’ supporters applauded his decision and the timing of it.