Ex-Phoenix Police Sergeant Paul Penzone, the man running as a Democrat against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, recently announced a slew of new endorsements via his campaign website, the most prominent of which comes from former U.S. Attorney for Arizona Paul Charlton, a Republican and stalwart critic of Sheriff Joe.
Other endorsements of note come from the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association, Arizona state Representative Ruben Gallego, former Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns executive Rich Dozer, and businessman and Democratic rainmaker Fred DuVal.
The announcement states that this is "the first of series of planned endorsements," signalling that Penzone has been busy racking up backers from all sides, perhaps to give a not-so subtle nudge to Scottsdale Police Lieutenant and Independent Mike Stauffer that he should bail from the race.
In conversations I've had with both men, neither seems inclined to bow out of the contest for sheriff, though we all know one of them has to go if the other is to stand a chance against Arpaio. Otherwise, the anti-Arpaio vote is split, and Joe waltzes back in for four more years.
Phoenix videographer Dennis Gilman and I recently interviewed Penzone and Stauffer separately. To get an idea of the style and substance of both candidates, check out Gilman's YouTube postings for Penzone, here, and for Stauffer, here. Penzone's entire press release is reproduced below.
Penzone Campaign Announces First List of Endorsements Published on April 11, 2012 in
PHOENIX, Ariz (April 11, 2012) - In the first of a series of planned announcements, Maricopa County Sheriff Candidate Paul Penzone released the first list of individuals and groups who are publicly supporting his campaign. The diverse and respected list of endorsements includes public safety officers and leaders from private and public sectors.
"Since announcing my candidacy for Sheriff I have been greatly encouraged by the outpouring of support," said Paul Penzone. "The community, law enforcement leaders and business owners are clearly and publicly stating that they are ready to move forward and to restore professional law enforcement, accountability, and integrity to the Sheriff's office. They have confidence in my ability to win this campaign, lead the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and rebuild trust and confidence in the relationship between law enforcement and the community. These endorsements continue to grow and many leaders will continue to step forward to support my campaign."
The first announced endorsers include:
PPSLA, Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association
Paul Charlton, Former U.S. Attorney for Arizona
Rich Dozer, Chairman of GenSpring Phoenix and Former Arizona Diamondbacks President and Phoenix Suns COO
Fred DuVal, Arizona Businessman, Civic Leader and Author
Bruce Dyer, VP of Salt River Materials Group
Ruben Gallego, Arizona State Representative
Pete Kuehner, Sr. VP/COO of Salt River Materials Group
Kim Anderson-Matich, President/CEO of Anderson Security
About Paul Penzone: Paul Penzone is a career Phoenix police officer who earned national and international recognition for his leadership in the capture of high-value fugitives and take down of drug trafficking organizations. As Sheriff, Paul will work to make Maricopa County the safest community in America. He'll demand accountability at the top, practice results-based policing, and eliminate wasteful spending so we can put more deputies on the streets.
For more information, visit www.penzone2012.com.
