For 4th time, Arpaio not running for governor

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced that he will not run for governor, once again ending Arizona’s election-year tradition of the sheriff flirting with the state’s highest office.

Arpaio fueled speculation for months that he would run for governor, but said in a May 3 press release that it was in the best interests of Maricopa County and his constituents that he continues serving as sheriff. He also said he does not want to resign and leave the Board of Supervisors to appoint a replacement.

“I am humbled by the encouragement and outpouring of support for me to run for governor. However, at the same time, so many people have supported my campaign for reelection that I do not want to betray them by running for another office,” Arpaio said in a press statement. “I have come so far and accomplished so much in the past 18 years as sheriff that to leave now just doesn’t make sense.”

Arpaio had considered getting into the governor’s race in 1998, 2002 and 2006, but said the decision on 2010 was the most difficult. At 77 years old, Arpaio had repeatedly said it’s “now or never” for a gubernatorial run, meaning this may be the last year the sheriff publicly flirts with the office.