Arizona's Joe Arpaio Reelected, Wants to Meet with Latinos

image
Published: 09 Nov, 2012
1 min read

Joe Arpaio is known as the “Toughest Sheriff in America" for his hard stance on crime and undocumented immigrants in Maricopa County, Arizona. He has been investigated by the US Department of Justice for discrimination and supposed misconduct, although he denies the accusations.

Joe Arpaio, 80, has been serving as sheriff of Maricopa County for over two decades. Arpaio, a Republican, was reelected to a sixth term on Tuesday, although there are still ballots to be counted. (Challenger Democrat Paul Penzone already conceded defeat, with Arpaio carrying 53 percent of the vote). Arpaio raised over $8.5 million for his campaign, compared with Penzone’s $530,000. Arpaio’s funds were donated from all over the country despite his designation over Maricopa County alone.

After a tumultuous and very tense relationship with Latinos in the county, the sherrif-elect is looking to reach out to the community. CNN reported that the sheriff, addressing a crowd after his reelection, announced,

"I would hope to get together with the Latino community, if I could ever have them talk to me without screaming and threatening me. So I hope to get together with the community and try to explain what we do."

Immigration advocacy activists who campaigned against Arpaio believe there is still hope in defeating the sheriff. As of Thursday morning, there were still hundreds of thousands of early voter and provisional ballots to be accounted for in Maricopa County, according to the Secretary of State.

Once official, the controversial sheriff has a lot to prove to the community. Between mistrust in the Latino community and federal investigations, he will be closely watched in his new term.

Arpaio has no intention of leaving public service anytime soon, despite his advanced age. He is looking to run again in 2016.

 

You Might Also Like

Caution tape with US Capitol building in the background.
Did the Republicans or Democrats Start the Gerrymandering Fight?
The 2026 midterm election cycle is quickly approaching. However, there is a lingering question mark over what congressional maps will look like when voters start to cast their ballots, especially as Republicans and Democrats fight to obtain any electoral advantage possible. ...
11 Nov, 2025
-
8 min read
Utah state capitol.
Utah Judge Delivers a Major Blow to Gerrymandering
A Utah state judge has struck down the congressional map drawn by Republican lawmakers, ruling that it violates the state’s voter-approved ban on partisan gerrymandering and ordering new district lines for the 2026 elections....
11 Nov, 2025
-
2 min read
bucking party on gerrymandering
5 Politicians Bucking Their Party on Gerrymandering
Across the country, both parties are weighing whether to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Utah, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia are all in various stages of the action. Here are five politicians who have declined to support redistricting efforts promoted by their own parties....
31 Oct, 2025
-
4 min read