Leaked audio of 'surreptitiously' recorded meeting prompts Arizona GOP official's resignation

A Republican official in charge of supervising Maricopa County, Ariz., submitted his resignation following the release of a recording that featured him criticizing members of his political party for pushing back against efforts to review the 2020 election results.

The recording features the voice of Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Chucri (R) a third-term official who represents the eastern portion of the county, according to the Associated Press. The Republican official "suggested two fellow Republican county supervisors opposed the review by Senate Republicans because they nearly lost their own 2020 races."

In his statement of apology, Chucri also announced his resignation. "The comments I made were during a very turbulent time," he wrote. "My colleagues have every right to be both angry and disappointed with me. I should not have made such statements and offer my colleagues heartfelt apologies."

Maricopa County Supervisor resignswww.youtube.com

He acknowledged that the remarks should not have been made as he insisted "the political landscape has changed for the worst this year."

"The environment is wrought with toxicity — and all civility and decorum no longer seem to have a place," Chucri said. "The fixation with the 2020 election results and aftermath have gotten out of control."

Chucri's resignation comes amid Trump supporters' ongoing obsession with reviewing the results of the 2020 presidential election. Maricopa County has become the epicenter of election investigations following Senate Republicans' efforts to conduct an audit of the county's election results.

Chucri's resignation will be effective beginning Nov. 5.