Arpaio recall campaign to restore Ariz.’s good name
As chairman of the Respect Arizona campaign to recall Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, here’s my response to the Feb. 3
editorial, “No need for new vote on Arpaio”:
1. Respect Arizona is a grassroots organization of Republicans, Democrats, Anglos, Lations, African-Americans, business owners and workers who are fed up with our sheriff and the mismanagement of his office. We are not extremists. We are not radicals. We are funded by mostly small donations. So far we have raised a little less than $100,000 (not the $1.3 million reported in the editorial).
2. State law allows for a recall election if enough signatures can be mustered by voters. We believe there are enough disgruntled voters to have such a recall election. If we are wrong, we will be stuck with Joe.
3. Joe Arpaio was, in fact, elected (but only by a small margin). To that, there is no doubt. A recall election will allow voters to be much more cognizant of the issues surrounding the Sheriff’s Office. They won’t be distracted by a national election. Most likely there will be only two candidates in a recall election. Both candidates will have to debate each other to win.
Arpaio’s record would come to light in a much more dramatic manner through a recall. The voters will know about the mil- WILLIAM JAMES FISHER lions of dollars Joe Arpaio has cost this state in lawsuits caused by his antics. They will become much more aware of the accusations of malfeasance, intimidation, incompetence and downright corruption committed by Arpaio.
The voters will learn exactly where Arpaio’s funding is coming from. In this election, all votes will be counted.
4. Respect Arizona is aware of the cost to hold a recall election. However, when you take the cost to hold an election against what will be lost in need- less lawsuits and the cost of mismanagement from a continuing Arpaio administration, the amount is well worth it.
A recall is our right, assuming we get enough valid signatures. A recall election will bring back new respect for the Arizona voter and in Arizona as a state. Hopefully, we will cease to be the laughingstock of the rest of the nation and the world. That, my fellow Arizonans, is what this campaign is about.