Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio officially files for re-election race
May 18, 2016, 10:42 AM | Updated: 11:18 am
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has officially filed paperwork to run for his seventh consecutive term.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said Arpaio submitted 10,500 signatures of people supporting his campaign on Friday to the County Recorder’s Office.
“I’m so grateful to all the voters who have nominated me for another term as sheriff,” Arpaio said in a release.
“I’m especially grateful to all the volunteers who dedicated so much time and effort in helping us reach our goal. Just as I have always done, I will work tirelessly to earn each and every vote from the people of Maricopa County.”
The signatures were submitted the same day Arpaio and three of his deputies were found in civil contempt in a racial profiling case.
The civil contempt finding doesn’t disqualify Arpaio from holding office. It’s unclear whether a criminal contempt finding — which is still on the table — would prevent Arpaio from serving as sheriff.
Arpaio will face Dan Saban in the Republican primary in August.
Should Arpaio win, he will face former Phoenix police officer Paul Penzone in the November general election.
Penzone lost to Arpaio in the 2012 election, but said his running this year has nothing to do with his potential opponent.
“It’s about unfinished business from the last time he ran,” KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Larry Gaydos wrote on Twitter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
