Pardon in hand, former Sheriff Joe Arpaio willing to run for US Senate

PHOENIX — Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio reportedly said Monday that he has already been approached about running for Senate after being pardoned by President Donald Trump.

“I could run for mayor, I could run for legislator, I could run for Senate,” Arpaio told the Washington Examiner, adding that people have been asking about his political future.

“All I’m saying is the door is open and we’ll see what happens. I’ve got support. I know what support I have.”

Arpaio would likely enter next year’s primary race against incumbent Sen. Jeff Flake, who has been a vocal opponent to Trump.

Arpaio said he swore off another candidacy in January, when he left office, but that “with what I’ve seen happening in recent months, especially what’s happening with our president, I said, ‘Hey, why not?'”

The former sheriff, who is 85, said his age would not be a factor in his decision to seek another public office.

“I’m proud to be my age. I work 14 hours a day,” he told the paper. “If anyone thinks my age is going to hold me back, I’ve got news for them.”

Should the former lawman run for Flake’s seat, he may encounter a crowded primary field. One challenger, Dr. Kelli Ward, has already entered the race, while Trump met with at least two other potential candidates prior to his Phoenix rally last week.

Arpaio theoretically has time to decide on the race. He would need to gather at least 5,801 signatures in support of his campaign and would have until May to submit the necessary paperwork.

Trump pardoned Arpaio on Friday, saying the former sheriff had worked for years “protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration.”

The pardon essentially made Arpaio an innocent man, though the Constitution does not prohibit convicted criminals from running for office.

Arpaio was found guilty in late July of misdemeanor contempt for continuing his immigration sweeps for 17 months after a judge ordered him to stop.