PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. — Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz has introduced a motion to censure Sheriff Chris Nanos for placing his political opponent, Lieutenant Heather Lappin, on administrative leave amid the 2024 election cycle, according to a press release from the board of supervisors.
“Sheriff Nanos’ reckless and vindictive action against his political rival is nothing but an attempt to smear and silence his opponent,” said Heinz, a Democrat. “This is clear election interference, and Nanos must not be allowed to use his office to manipulate the free and fair voting process in Pima County. The Board of Supervisors has a responsibility to hold Nanos accountable – we owe it to our constituents to censure him at our next meeting.”
The motion also addresses Nanos’ alleged violation of the First Amendment rights of Sgt. Aaron Cross, president of the Pima County Deputies Organization, which recently issued a vote of no confidence in Nanos.
Heinz is urging board members to request an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona to determine whether Nanos violated state or federal laws by using his official position to suppress political opposition during an election.
Just days after early voting began, Sheriff Nanos, a Democrat, placed Lieutenant Lappin, a Republican, on administrative leave, barred her from discussing the reasons for her leave with the public, and required her to remain at home during business hours, hindering her ability to campaign.
“This sort of corruption doesn’t have a place in our political process,” Heinz added. “Not only should Nanos be censured and investigated, he should also call off his campaign for reelection. Chris Nanos has shown he doesn’t have the character to serve the residents of Pima County.”
The motion for censure will be discussed at the next meeting of the Pima County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, November 12.
In a four-page statement obtained by Arizona Public Media, Sheriff Nanos disputed Heinz's accusation of election interference and insisted that Lappin's decision to run for sheriff while still working for the agency has been "problematic."
"The genesis of this difficulty goes back to this Board's decision to reverse policy and allow an employee who is currently working for a department to run for a position within that department without having to take a leave of absence. That decision has tested the limitations of good sense in every aspect and created a burdensome responsibility for leaders to try to manage successfully. That said, we have proceeded with the best intentions in good faith to get through the campaign cycle as painlessly as possible. Unfortunately, that has not been the reality," the sheriff wrote in a memo to the board on Oct. 23.
