Joe Arpaio Makes Another Empty Threat to Run for Governor

Someone's feeling a little left out amid all this talk about who's running for governor and who's not.Sheriff Joe Arpaio's campaign manager, Chad Willems, sent out a press release bragging about fundraising figures that included what's certainly an empty threat to run for governor...

By Matthew Hendley

January 22, 2014

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Someone's feeling a little left out amid all this talk about who's running for governor and who's not.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's campaign manager, Chad Willems, sent out a press release bragging about fundraising figures that included what's certainly an empty threat to run for governor.

"Every four years, my supporters encourage me to run for governor," Arpaio says in this press release. "Based on these fundraising numbers and knowing I could be competitive, I will have to give it serious consideration."

One of Arpaio's spokesmen, Deputy Joaquin Enriquez, even tweeted out Tuesday night, "Having dinner with Steven Seagal and Sheriff Arpaio, the topic of discussion is the sheriff running for governor and Seagal for sheriff."

Arpaio, who would have to resign to run for governor, also threatened to run in 2010. ABC 15 even reported at the time that it was a sure thing and that all the paperwork was "filled out and is ready to file."

He's also made empty threats to run for the U.S. Senate, as well as for president of the United States.

You'd think the local mainstream media would have it figured out by now, but his threat to run for governor has been taken seriously so far.

Arpaio has until May 28 to announce that he's not actually going to run for governor.

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Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.

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