What Stephen Lemons says about the Maricopa County Sheriff race

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton recently endorsed Democratic candidate Paul Penzone for Maricopa County Sheriff. Stephen Lemons from the Phoenix New Times breaks down this race. Joe Arpaio Foe Paul Penzone Adds Greg Stanton's Endorsement to a Ton of Others - Phoenix New Times (excerpts):

The Penzone camp has released a list of its endorsements so far. They include Democratic politicians such as former candidate for state Attorney General Felecia Rottelini, ex-Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, state Senate Minority Leader and Congressional candidate David Schapira, 2008 Arpaio opponent Dan Saban, and Corporation Commissioners Paul Newman and Sandra Kennedy, among many other Ds.

But Penzone has a number of tuskers backing him as well: Phoenix entrepreneur Mac Magruder, former U.S. Attorney for Arizona Paul Charlton, ex-Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, and longtime community activist Donna Neil of NAILEM, the Neighborhood Activists Inter-Linked Empowerment Movement.

The other wannabe sheriffs, Republican-turned-Independent Mike Stauffer and "conservative Democrat" John Rowan, lack the resources, the support, the endorsements, and the volunteers that Penzone has.

I don't know if Penzone will be able to overcome Arpaio, but it should be apparent that he is the only credible candidate in the field, no matter how much the other Joe-foes kvetch about this reality.

Penzone will best Rowan in the August 28, Democratic primary. That's a given. But as I've already noted in a recent column, Stauffer's vanity run for sheriff is troublesome, particularly if the race turns out to be a tight one.

If Stauffer were to withdraw and throw his support to Penzone, he would be an instant hero and would maintain the goodwill he's won from many by being the first man in the race.

But if Stauffer hangs on as a sure loser and possible spoiler, such selfishness certainly will earn him near-universal disdain among the anti-Arpaio crowd.

And from Arpaio, he's likely to receive a thank-you note.

checked with Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne, and she tells me that because such a change would affect nearly 1.9 million voters, someone like Stauffer would have to withdraw by September 7 to ensure his name is scrubbed from the general election ballot.

* * *

People run for office for weird reasons sometimes. But if Stauffer really wants Arpaio to lose, he needs to step aside and back Penzone.

Do it, Mike. You seem like a decent guy. Now is the time to prove it.

I have to agree with Stephen Lemons on this one. We need a one-on-one contest to be successful, just like in the recall of former disgraced Senator Russell Pearce. As Lemons says, "if Stauffer really wants Arpaio to lose, he needs to step aside and back Penzone." Don't be a spoiler, Stauffer. Step up and do the right thing.

Comments

[AZterritory]

Anyone recall the gov race of '86? Lousy primary turnout among Rs gave Ev Meacham the nod over Burton Barr, the Dems ran Carolyn Warner, and Bill Shulz, miffed, ran as an I. The rest is history. Arizona got the pickaninny gov with only 40% of the vote.

Stauffer needs to fall on his sword, it's the right thing to do.

[Thane "Goldie" Eichenauer]

I'm just waiting for someone who complains about so-called spoiler candidates to advocate in favor of an electoral system that can address multiple candidate elections that don't involve votes that anybody can be describe as spoiled.

http://www.fairvote.org/instant-runoff-voting/

http://youtu.be/wqblOq8BmgM

As for miffed I candidates, in the end every R, D, L and G candidate is a miffed candidate as they certainly wouldn't cotton to any of their opponents winning if there is a better alternative.