WILL SEEK SEVENTH TERM FOLLOWING 2016 DEFEAT
by Sharon Rondeau
(Aug. 25, 2019) — On Sunday evening, former Maricopa County, AZ Sheriff Joseph M. Arpaio announced on Twitter that he will seek to return to his former position for seventh term in November 2020.
In 2016, Arpaio sought reelection as the county’s top law-enforcement officer, which, had he not been defeated by Democrat Paul Penzone, would have been a seventh consecutive term.
Arpaio, 87, had sought a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2018 but was defeated in the Republican primary.
The announcement comes on the second anniversary of his pardon by President Trump after a conviction for misdemeanor contempt of court stemming from a long-running racial-profiling case.
August 25 is also his wife Ava’s birthday, the press release accompanying the Twitter announcement states.
“Sheriff Arpaio and his wife realize that during the past several years, his opponents, activists and political figures on the Left, have utilized slanderous attacks on him through the fake and biased news media to try and keep him from being heard, but these efforts have failed,” the press release reads. “However, he expects these attacks will continue in full force, even more so with today’s announcement.”
Arpaio was quoted as having said, “The last four years have proven to be a time of lost opportunities to continue the kind of tough policing this county needs. Once back in office, I will use my position to restore pride to our law enforcement ranks, not only here, in the fourth-largest county in America, but across the country.”
Although residing in Arizona for many years, Arpaio originally hails from Springfield, MA, a point Arpaio discussed with this writer in a brief interview connected with his Senate run as a result of our close proximity to his home city.
ARPAIO ANNOUNCES NEW BOOK DEAL
THE FOUNTAIN HILLS TIMES — December 30, 2019
Excerpt:
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“This book will not pull any punches and readers will get the true firsthand knowledge and evidence I’ve accumulated during my 56 years in law enforcement and it will shake up local and federal government, current political figures and the bias of the fake news media,” Arpaio said.
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… “Sheriff Joe is considered a hero to patriotic Americans everywhere, a staunch conservative and a living legend throw-back to America’s history of self-reliance, accountability and values. He’s a modern-day John Wayne with a badge, and all of the world should know his life’s story.
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View the complete article at:
https://www.fhtimes.com/news/local_news/arpaio-announces-new-book-deal/article_63a3cb20-25b0-11ea-8e86-031383169858.html
I just talked with Mrs. Arpaio this afternoon, as I have done MANY times through the years. She has fully recuperated after her snake bite not long ago and Sheriff Joe is ready to run again.
I’ve already donated!!! Have YOU??? http://ArpaioForSheriff.com
Run Joe, Run.
It greatly pains me to say this but I believe Sheriff Joe needs to seriously reconsider his ambitions. The man is utterly remarkable and an absolute testament to love and patriotism for his country. He has served America beyond admirably, despite all the smears from the vile left and their allies in the press. As sheriff, his mandates for prisoners and illegals to do manual labor in scorching temperatures, wear pink underwear and eat baloney sandwiches earned him the scorn of bleeding heart liberals and open borders advocates but such resonated with his constituents who faithfully rewarded him with 6 four year terms before being turned out of office in 2016. He was willing to tackle Obama’s constitutional ineligibility and birth certificate fraud that few members of the press, state legislatures, governors, Congress & law enforcement officials were willing to do. His credentials are impeccable and political stamina arguably second to none.
But political stamina aside as well as a phenomenal record of service, there is admittedly a measure of physical stamina that goes with the office & duties of a sheriff and it’s questionable at best that Sheriff Joe will be able to handle it at the age of 88, which is how old he will be come the election of 2020. He may unusually strong both mentally and physically at his current age of 87 but age is indeed a factor when you get close to 90 and there are scant few individuals who can well serve the public approaching that age. Keep in mind even the popular Congressman Ralph Hall was finally told by the voters that his 34 years of service were welcomed but that a newer and younger face was needed to represent his Texas district beyond 2014. Just a little over 4 years later, he left this life in March at 95.
But being a sheriff requires much more out of someone than a Congressman or senator as lives are literally dependent on that person. Sheriff Joe’s heart and resilience may move him to believe that he can perform equally as he did previously but his body may be telling him a different story at 88. That is not the man’s fault. That’s just the way age works on someone.
Should Sheriff Joe be fortunate to win renomination to his old post, he still will have to deal with his Democrat opposition. Again, he may feel he’s cut for the job but in the minds of the voters, regardless of political persuasion, age will be a factor. Should he miraculously win, he would then be 92 if he was able to complete 4 more years in a grueling job like sheriff. Voters will almost undoubtedly be weighing that factor as a consideration in whether to put Joe back in Maricopa County. Doubting Thomas that I am, it’s hard to see even dyed in the wool patriots giving him another stint, despite the suspicious circumstances that drove Joe out in 2016.
I love the man. I wish we could clone him for future sheriffs. He’s just the best. But he’s not 67, not 77 but 87 and again, he will be 88 come November next year. Do the voters want to risk his health as a result of his ambition? That is their decision to make. Paul Penzio is most definitely not the person Maricopa County needs in law and order but is Sheriff Joe the right one to regain his old seat. It’s hard to see but God love the man. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t think I am. Get someone of his caliber and principle to run for that post with at least 15-20 years fewer years and Maricopa County will be well served by it.