Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio had comfortable victories, but ones suggesting limitations to Thomas’ electoral appeal and the end of Arpaio’s status as a larger-than-life political figure and force.
Thomas’ margin of victory was less than the Republican registration advantage, suggesting limited appeal to independents or crossover Democrats.
Arpaio ran ahead of the Republican registration advantage. But his 56 percent of the vote trailed the 61 percent and 59 percent Janet Napolitano and Terry Goddard racked up in Maricopa County’s last election, despite a large registration disadvantage.
Arpaio, who heavily outspent his opponent, barely matched the performance of Jon Kyl in Maricopa County, who was substantially outspent.
Sheriff Joe has become a mere political mortal.