I did not see a diary on this yet but the largest newspaper in the state endorsed Paul Penzone over incumbent Sheriff Joe on Sunday in a lengthy and detailed editorial. Of course, the newspaper just had a series of articles on the disgraceful failure of the Sheriff's office to properly investigate hundreds of sexual abuse cases so maybe the Penzone endorsement shouldn't come as a surprise.
In the editorial they list a litany of failures in the MCSO and basically lay them at the feet of "America's toughest sheriff" and include the targeting of his political enemies - they call it a "reign of terror" - the department's seamy financial dealings, costly lawsuits, the targeting of Hispanics, and the corrupt hand-picked crony underlings. But of the challenger, Paul Penzone, they say:
A 21-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, Penzone represents the kind of lawman Arpaio once promised to be.
Tired of the constant self-promotion at the expense of fundamental crime-fighting? Penzone is committed to realigning the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office to serve its primary purpose: patrolling the streets of communities that rely on the county sheriff for protection.
For the "Toughest Sheriff," that job was too boring. For Penzone, it is Job One.
Penzone recognizes that repairing the damage caused by Arpaio's ham-handed ways will take time. Among Hispanics, obviously. But also among those numerous communities that have been so poorly served in recent years.
...
The Arizona Republic strongly recommends Paul Penzone for Maricopa County sheriff.
Read more:
http://www.azcentral.com/...
Penzone has the best chance of any challenger for many years. Unfortunately, there's a third person in the race who could wind up being a spoiler. Hopefully though, this is the election in which we Arizonans say adios Arpaio!