Mike Stauffer is an Independent Candidate running against Sheriff Joe Arpaio in 2012. 

Rumor has it that Paul Penzone might be running for Maricopa County Sheriff.  And I believe any new candidate is simply a repeat of the Olivia Cortes candidacy we witnessed during the special elections of Jerry Lewis vs. Russell Pearce when Pearce tried to spoil the vote in November 2011.  The last thing we want to see if Sheriff Arpaio doesn’t resign is a spoiler in the upcoming 2012 race.  The Democratic Party was smart enough not to put up a Democratic candidate during the Special Elections between (now former) Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce and Senator Jerry Lewis – let’s hope they will be smart enough not to support a democratic candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff.  Never forget that Independent voters tend to swing conservatively and Arpaio’s recent popularity polls need to go the opposite direction.

When I heard about the rumor I decided to take a look at Penzone’s Twitter account.  I didn’t read anything about Joe Arpaio’s corruption.  And if this rumor materializes, unfortunately this will not look very good for the Democratic Party or for anyone supporting new candidates else they will be viewed as an “Olivia Cortes” who was used to spoil the Russell Pearce/Jerry Lewis Special Elections race in November 2011, and the Mike Stauffer campaign should treat all new candidates as such.

During a brief interview with Mike Stauffer regarding the rumors I heard, Mike Stauffer – candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff  stated:

If the rumor of a new candidate emerging from the Democrats is true, I would ask what their goal or motivation is? Is the goal to elect a true professional law enforcer who will enforce all laws fairly and equitably or do the Democrats want just another media driven politician, who will enforce only those laws that advance a politically motivated agenda. We all saw in November that the people are tired of political infighting and want to see some results. We also saw how, by the people pulling together with the good of the state as their goal, a seemingly invincible politician can be removed and replaced with  someone who will work for the good of the people, not just follow some ideology. Just as with that race, Arpaio knows that the vote can be diluted by the introduction of a candidate from out of nowhere. I believe the sheriff should be independent and non-partisan. I have a proven leadership record and I will not be subject or beholden to any political group.

Bottom line:  I support enforcing laws in a fair and equitable fashion that is not driven by politics or media hype.  Arpaio is more concerned about media hype than running a tight ship at the Maricopa County jails.  The death of Gulf War Veteran – Ernest M. Atencio who was recently booked in jail when he was tasered and suffered a  heart attack according to his family is indicative to Arpaio’s heinous operation.  Arpaio continues to stain Arizona’s history and is equivalent to Alabama’s “Bull” Connor in our era.