Posted on 01/09/2018 10:07:52 AM PST by Seizethecarp
Republican Joe Arpaio, a close ally of President Trump and former sheriff known for his provocative approach to combatting illegal immigration, is running for Senate in Arizona.
The 85-year-old Arpaio could shake up the late August Republican primary in a critical open-seat race to replace retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. Trump pardoned Arpaio last summer, sparing the former sheriff jail time after he was convicted of ignoring a federal court order in a racial-profiling case.
The polarizing yet iconic former Maricopa County sheriff, beloved by many conservatives for his hawkish immigration policies, presents an alternative to the unimpressive Kelli Ward and a potential obstacle to Rep. Martha McSally. She is expected to launch within days and is widely viewed as the Republicans’ strongest general election candidate.
In a telephone interview with the Washington Examiner, Arpaio shrugged off concerns about his age, dismissed Republican insiders’ anxiety that his poor reputation with nonwhite voters would put the seat in play for the Democrats in the midterm, and discussed plans to work with Trump on behalf of Arizona.
“My mother and father came here from Italy, legally of course. I have a soft spot for the Mexican community having lived there,” he said. “I’m not going to get into my personal life, but I will say we have four grandkids and some have a different ethnic and racial background. I don’t say that. I don’t use my grandkids. So, I have a soft spot, but still, I’m going to do my job. You have to do it.”
Even if Arpaio loses the primary to McSally, he would have had seven months to push her to the right and define GOP messaging on a host of issues — and not just in Arizona.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
I love Joe but at 85 y/o his day has come and gone. We need someone equally as conservative but younger.
We could be looking at a Moore situation again!!!!
He’s 85?
Nope.
Here we go split the base, get another McTraitor
Another thread on this earlier this morning. I think it is a bit sad and risks a seat going to a Democrat. He’s too old, painful to watch. He’ll lose. He should spend is days relaxing. Get some young blood in Congress. Besides, if he loses, which will be for age and infermity, it will be instead blamed on his immigration politics, which is wrong.
Ping to Sheriff Arpaio announcement of senate run. Doubtless, Barry’s BC authenticity investigation will be an issue immediately! The press will hound him on the matter and will, hopefully, regret doing so if the Sheriff produces the forensic reports at long last!
This will, at best, divide the conservative vote and insure that RINO McSally gets the nomination. Yuck!!
I’m voting for Arpaio. He earned it no matter how old he is.
They want to send women to DC where they all become leftist nuts.
Arppaio still has something to give.
Say it ain’t so, Joe! Certain defeat awaits.
I love Joe Arpaio but he needs to go away have a nice retirement with his wife who is ill and has been by his side loyally for all these years. I swear we have the dumbest Party in the world.
Forget it, Joe, you’re 85. You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.
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>> “We could be looking at a Moore situation again” <<
Your anti-american politics are showing!
Moore won the election if only legitimate votes are counted, but because of fools like you nothing is being done to deal with these serious crimes.
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You are right. He is only there to split the conservatives.
Every dog has his day. It’s time for SHERRIF JOE to lay on the porch.
I have considerable respect for them both but is this another opportunity for the sorozNazi D’s to smear a candidate to defeat, like they did to Judge Moore?
Where’s Juan McCain?
That’s great. We have a true, loyal solid conservative in Kelli Ward and you’ll vote for Arpaio which means McSally will win. McSally is McCain and this is their plan.
30 year old sexual assault allegations to commence against Joe in 4..3...2....1
Yes, and Arizona has no runoffs. If RINO McSally gets the most votes in the primary and it’s only 37% of the vote...SHE BECOMES THE NOMINEE.
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