Joe Arpaio outspent Paul Penzone by over $11M in Maricopa County sheriff’s race

PHOENIX — Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio outspent rival Paul Penzone by double-digit millions, only to lose the race.

Final campaign finance reports from the Maricopa County sheriff’s election showed that Republican Arpaio spent $12.6 million in the 2016 election trying to hold onto the office he had led for six terms.

Democrat Penzone, who won the job spent $1 million. He won on his second try by nearly 13 percentage points.

Penzone’s efforts were aided greatly by billionaire George Soros, whose political action committee spent $2 million overall on anti-Arpaio ads and mailings.

The final financial reports were released last week and early this week.

Arpaio had raised around $10 million by late summer for his re-election. During an appearance on C-Span at the Republican National Convention in July, Arpaio laughed when the show host pointed out that was more than now President-elect Donald Trump had raised.

She asked why he would need that kind of money for a sheriff’s race. “A lot elements want to get rid of me,” the 84-year old said.

The bulk of contributions for the former lawman’s campaign came from outside Arizona.

In-state contributors who gave more than $50 apiece made up about 17 percent.

Arpaio spent some of his money on a negative TV ad that accused Penzone of physically hurting his ex-wife.

Penzone sued Arpaio for defamation in late September but recently dropped the lawsuit.

Paul Penzone was a frequent contributor to KTAR News.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related

Authorities identify victims, suspect killed in stabbing that led to Gilbert Police shooting28 indicted in Arizona gun trafficking ring that funneled AK-style rifles toward MexicoAlleged sex worker, underage boyfriend arrested in connection with fatal Phoenix apartment shootingDemocrat Katie Hobbs reportedly taps Republican John Giles as her Lt. Gov. running mateSalad and Go files for bankruptcy, will permanently close all locationsDust storm sends Phoenix air quality to dangerous levels, with more on the way