Joe Arpaio To Run For Sheriff In 2020

On Sunday, Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced he plans to run for his 7th term as Sheriff in 2020.

Arpaio, 87, announced in a press release that he will make another run at the position he held for more than 20 years.

“On this day, August 25, 2019, after consultation and approval from my wife of 61 years, Ava, I have decided to run to be re-elected Sheriff. Watch out world! We are back!”

Arpaio noted the significance of the announcement date of August 25. It is his wife’s birthday and the same date President Trump pardoned him on a misdemeanor charge filed by President Obama’s administration.

Arpaio served as Maricopa County Sheriff from January 1, 1993 until December 31, 2016. His 24 years in office made him the longest serving Sheriff in Maricopa County history. Arpaio lost to Democrat and former Phoenix Police Sgt. Paul Penzone in 2016.

“I will continue to stand and fight to do the right thing for Arizona and America and will never surrender,” Arpaio said in the release.

Arpaio said if re-elected, he will re-open Tent City, re-institute the Sheriff’s posse and crack down on border and illegal immigration issues.

“The last four years have proven to be a time of lost opportunities to continue the kind of tough policing this county needs,” said Arpaio. “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.”

Sheriff Penzone closed Tent City in October 2017 Tent City. The outdoor jail that Arpaio instituted that gained national attention for living conditions and infamous pink underwear worn by the inmates.

Arpaio made the decision to run again because of encouragement from “thousands of people across the nation.”