Joe Arpaio set to be ball and chain for Gov. Doug Ducey

Gov. Doug Ducey is gearing up for a re-election campaign, trying to portray himself as cool and competent and not, you know, out there, and then, bam … Arpaio happened

Just what Ducey needs. Another yoke around his neck. Another millstone. Another albatross.

It’s not like he’s unburdened as it is. The governor delivered an upbeat but unconvincing State of the State speech on Monday, trying hard to get the rest of us to forget about the lavish raises he gave his inner circle while tossing a few bread crumbs to teachers.

That didn’t work.

And now that former Sheriff Joe Arpaio has entered the Republican race for U.S. Senate, Ducey finds himself attached to yet another ball and chain.

The governor thought it was over once Arpaio was pardoned by President Donald Trump after having been found guilty of criminal contempt.

Ducey released a kiss-up statement at the time, reading: “I believe Sheriff Joe deserves credit for helping to reduce crime in Maricopa County over his long career in law enforcement and public office. The president clearly has pardoning powers under the United States Constitution, and with this action, he has brought finality to this chapter in Arizona’s history. Sheriff Joe is my friend, and now he, Ava and their family can move on and enjoy their retirement together.”

Retirement? HA!

Now Ducey is stuck with Arpaio, the disgraced ex-lawman responsible for the loss of millions of taxpayer dollars and untold human misery and to whom — as a candidate — Ducey went begging.

There were a half-dozen Republicans running for governor in 2014 and all of them went to the sheriff ’s office to kiss Arpaio’s ring and genuflect before him.

Arpaio brazenly violated a court injunction that was supposed to halt traffic patrols that targeted illegal immigrants, resulting in detentions for innocent Latino motorists.

The subsequent lawsuits have cost us tens of millions of dollars.

It wasn’t like Arpaio’s inclinations were unknown to candidate Ducey, or any of the other candidates. They courted him, as had candidates for various offices for over 20 years.

And when the sheriff endorsed Ducey, his campaign sent out a fawning release, quoting Ducey as saying, “We have the world’s best known sheriff right here in Arizona. Few, if any, lawmen have deployed more innovative ways of fighting illegal immigration and other crime than Sheriff Joe. His experience, counsel and tenacity will be critical partners to my efforts to protect the public as governor. I also appreciate Sheriff Joe for his service to our country as a veteran and his military service during the Korean war, as

well as his 57-year marriage to his wife, Ava — both speak volumes about the man. Arizona is safer under Sheriff Joe’s watchful eye, and I’m honored to earn his support.”

Now what?

What’s Ducey to do with Arpaio, who says he is running for Senate “for one unwavering reason: to support the agenda and policies of President Donald Trump in his mission to Make America Great Again.”

Ducey went all-in to get Arpaio’s endorsement.

Arpaio is all-in on Trump.

Does that go for Ducey, too? Is he all-in on Trump? That could be a heavy load to bear. And if not, why? If the guy you’ve expressed so much admiration for expresses much admiration for the president, wouldn’t it follow that you agree?

And how will that work in a statewide election? It seems pretty clear. The yoke’s on Ducey.