Sheriff Joe says if he’s ever going to run for governor of Arizona, it’s now or never:
“I’m not going to wait until I’m 85 or 80 if I wanted to run for governor,” he says. “I would run for governor for two reasons, because the people want me, and I know I can do the job, that’s not being egotistical.”
The sheriff says he’s raised plenty of money to campaign for governor — possibly millions.
If Arpaio runs for governor, he would face off with Republican candidates Jan Brewer, Dean Martin, and John Munger. Democrat Terry Goddard is also in the running.
Sheriff Joe has a bit of trouble with a Justice Department, but says that’s not going to be a problem, claiming he’s more popular than ever.
The Behavior Research Center’s poll says 39 percent of the 476 heads of household in Maricopa County who were surveyed this month believe Arpaio is doing an excellent or good job.
That figure stood at 54 percent when the center last did a similar survey on Arpaio in late July 2008.
The latest survey didn’t seek explanations on why some people’s view of the five-term sheriff had changed.
It found 20 percent believe Arpaio was doing a fair job, while 34 percent said he was doing a poor or very poor job. Seven percent were unsure.
Is Sheriff Joe’s no nonsense, tough on crime, anti-illegal immigration background enough to overcome allegations of racism and corruption?
