ARIZONA NEWS

Penzone: Phone ‘blew up’ with support after Arpaio announced MCSO run

Sep 20, 2019, 4:55 AM | Updated: 12:31 pm

Sheriff Paul Penzone (KTAR News stock Photo/Matt Bertram)...

Sheriff Paul Penzone (KTAR News stock Photo/Matt Bertram)

(KTAR News stock Photo/Matt Bertram)

PHOENIX — When former longtime Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced last month he would run to reclaim his old position, the phone of the man who currently holds it wouldn’t stop ringing.

Paul Penzone said his phone “blew up” for a couple of days with politicians and others pledging their support for the first-term sheriff.

Penzone, a Democrat, ended the Republican Arpaio’s 24-year run as sheriff in 2016.

“My phone blew up from every walk of the political spectrum,” Penzone told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac and Gaydos on Thursday. “There were conservative Republicans, independents and Democrats who all reached out and said ‘nah, this ain’t happening.'”

Penzone beat Arpaio by more than 10 percentage points, but the 87-year-old announced on Aug. 25 he wanted another crack at his old job.

The announcement came two years after Arpaio was pardoned by President Donald Trump after he was found guilty of misdemeanor contempt when he continued his immigration sweeps for 17 months after a judge ordered him to stop.

Arpaio would have to win the Republican primary next August before facing Penzone.

Two other GOP candidates, including longtime Arpaio assistant Jerry Sheridan, have already announced a run for the position.

Penzone said he had no intention of getting into a nasty campaign with Arpaio. Instead, he’d let his work the past 2 1/2 years be indicative of his ability to be sheriff.

“We’ve removed politics from the office and focused on public safety, and just the culture and the relationship we have with the community has improved dramatically,” Penzone said. “My campaign is about staying true to who I’ve been and will continue to be.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Bobby Holmes...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert issued for woman last seen in Phoenix

A silver alert has been issued for a woman last seen Tuesday near 35th Street and Pinochet Avenue in Phoenix. 

6 hours ago

East Bowl Amphitheater  at Scottsdale Civic Center. (Civic Center Live Facebook page photos)...

KTAR.com

Scottsdale to unveil updated civic center after 2 years of renovations

The city of Scottsdale is preparing to officially unveil its new civic center remodel this fall.

7 hours ago

Mugshot of Jared Sevey, who is accused of shooting and killing the manager of a CVS store in Mesa, ...

KTAR.com

Indictment issued for man accused of killing Mesa CVS store manager

A man accused of killing a CVS store manager in Mesa has been indicted, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Wednesday.

9 hours ago

Ray Epps Ray Epps, an Arizona man who became the center of a conspiracy theory about Jan. 6, 2021, ...

Associated Press

Ray Epps, an Arizona man who supported Trump, pleads guilty to Capital riot charge

Ray Epps, the target of a conspiracy theory about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge.

10 hours ago

Follow @KTAR923...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 86-year-old Phoenix man found dead in park

A Silver Alert has been canceled for an 86-year-old Phoenix man after he was found dead at a park.

10 hours ago

(KTAR News Photo/Shira Tanzer)...

KTAR.com

Court gives Phoenix 45-day deadline to clean up The Zone homeless encampment

A judge on Wednesday gave the city of Phoenix 45 days to fully clean up The Zone homeless encampment near downtown.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Home moving relocation in Arizona 2023...

BMS Moving

Tips for making your move in Arizona easier

If you're moving to a new home in Arizona, use this to-do list to alleviate some stress and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.

...

re:vitalize

When most diets fail, re:vitalize makes a difference that shows

Staying healthy and losing weight are things many people in Arizona are conscious of, especially during the summer.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

Penzone: Phone ‘blew up’ with support after Arpaio announced MCSO run