Maricopa County voters will elect a new sheriff to take office in 2025. Republican nominee Jerry Sheridan and Democratic nominee Tyler Kamp squared off Wednesday in another debate held by Citizens for Clean Elections.
Sheridan was chief deputy under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Both men were found to be in civil contempt for ignoring a federal court order stemming from a long-running racial profiling lawsuit that continues to cost taxpayers.
"They can either elect someone like me, who can take over from the second I get there. Or they can elect someone with no sheriff's experience. And he is a documented sexual harasser," Sheridan said.
Phoenix police investigators found evidence supporting claims that Kamp sexually harassed a colleague while he was a member of the department. Kamp said that federal oversight that started when Sheridan was chief deputy has been the best and worst thing for the Sheriff’s Office.
"The best because it finally exposed the abuse and corruption. The unconstitutional policies and practices, the discrimination that was occurring when my opponent and Joe Arpaio were running the Sheriff’s Office," Kamp said.
Kamp said federal oversight has also been bad for the Sheriff’s Office because resources had to be taken out of the jails and off the streets to comply with court orders.
Kamp, who switched parties to run as a Democrat, also criticized Sheridan for his role as chief deputy.
"The unconstitutional policies and practices, the daily headlines, the government overreach, the lawsuit that has cost the taxpayers over $ 350 million. And that dollar amount will continue to grow until we comply and graduate from those court orders," Kamp said.
Sheridan countered that his role as Arpaio’s chief deputy gave him the experience needed to do the top job.
"When I retired as the chief deputy, I’d like people to know that’s the highest ranking uniform position in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office, other than sheriff of course, because of my experience, I am ready to lead on day one, the moment I get there," Sheridan said.
The winner will replace current Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner, who was appointed after Paul Penzone stepped down. Skinner lost his primary race to Kamp in July.
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