MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his former deputy chief officer Jerry Sheridan were tied in the Republican primary as of Wednesday morning.
The winner of the primary goes on to face Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone in the November general election.
As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sheridan was ahead by fewer than 600 votes. Sheridan had 134,389 votes to Arpaio's 133,817.
Now 88 years old, former sheriff Arpaio lost to Penzone in 2016 following his 24 years as sheriff.
Penzone handed him his worst defeat of any countywide candidate that election cycle. Arpaio then made an unsuccessful run for Senate, losing in the primary to Sen. Martha McSally.
In 2017, President Trump pardoned Arpaio for criminal contempt of court related to racial profiling investigations at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Arpaio’s competitor, Sheridan, has 38 years in law enforcement with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. His mission includes providing public safety services, supporting law enforcement partners and maintaining custody and control.
