Ariz. Sheriff Arpaio Re-Elected, Says He Wants to 'Get Together with the Latino Community'
Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com
Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joseph Arpaio, known nationally for his strict enforcement of laws targeting illegal immigrants, was elected to his sixth term this week.
CNN reported that when Arpaio addressed supporters Tuesday night, he said one of his missions this term is to meet with Latinos.
“I would hope to get together with the Latino community, if I could ever have them talk to me without screaming and threatening me,” Arpaio said. “So I hope to get together with the community and try to explain what we do.”
The U.S. Justice Department contends that Arpaio oversees an office that routinely discriminates against Latino residents and filed a lawsuit against the sheriff earlier this year.
Arpaio is also facing a lawsuit by the owners of the Phoenix New Times, who say they were arrested and jailed overnight in 2007 in retaliation for reporting that Arpaio allies in the county attorney’s office unlawfully obtained grand jury subpoenas demanding that the New Times identify its sources for articles critical of Arpaio. The San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in August that governmental immunity does not protect Arpaio and special county prosecutor Dennis Wilenchik from suit.
The Arizona Republic also noted that Arpaio raised more than $8.2 million for this campaign, and that 80 percent of these funds came from out-of-state donors. Arpaio’s opponent, Paul Penzone, raised more than $520,000 from supporters primarily within Arizona.
The 80-year-old sheriff told supporters Tuesday that he has no intention of changing any of his policies and promised to run again in 2016.
Previous coverage:
ABA Journal: “The Prosecutor on Trial: Ex-Maricopa County Attorney Faces Disbarment for Political Acts”
ABA Journal: “The Maricopa Courthouse War”
