Sherriff Joe Arpaio Considering A Run For Arizona Governor

Sherriff Joe Arpaio, one of the strongest supporters of the new Arizona illegal immigration law and frequent guest on CNN, is considering a run for the state’s highest office. While reports came in that he had already made his decision, he told the press, “I am not running for governor now until I decide over the weekend with a glass of wine and my wife, since my mother and father came here from Italy, with a little spaghetti and meatballs.” Spoken like a true politician.

Arpaio, Sherriff of Maricopa County, has become something of a media darling of sorts lately for his staunch defense of the Arizona illegal immigration law that allows law enforcement to ask individuals already being questioned for a crime for legal identification. It has gotten him to debate some colorful characters on television, including Al Sharpton and Carlos Mencia. The CNN report also highlights his adversarial relationship with the ACLU and his previous stint on a Fox reality show called “Smile: You’re Under Arrest.”

While the immigration issue already makes the Arizona gubernatorial elections potentially one of the most covered of this year’s election cycle, a figure with Arpaio’s public image tossing his hat into the ring could make it all the more significant, especially if the law is challenged in federal court and Arpaio emerges as a loud supporter of it.

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