Former Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump, announced Thursday that he has reached the number of signatures needed to qualify as a mayoral candidate for the Phoenix suburb.

Arpaio needs 297 endorsement signatures to qualify as a candidate for mayor of Fountain Hills, according to a press release posted on his X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) account. Arpaio's signatures have reached the “petition signature limit” of 594, according to the release.

“I am extremely grateful and honored by the support of the citizens of Fountain Hills who have recognized my wisdom, principles and leadership,” Arpaio said in a statement. “Together, we will lead Fountain Hills to a safe and bright future!”

The former sheriff was found guilty in July 2017 of criminal contempt for ignoring a judge's order to stop detaining people solely on suspicion of immigration status. However, President Trump pardoned him in August of the same year.

“Throughout his time as Sheriff, Mr. Arpaio continued his life's work to protect the public from the scourge of crime and illegal immigration,” the White House said in a statement at the time.

“Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now 85 years old, and his more than 50 years of outstanding service to our country make him a worthy candidate for a presidential pardon,” the statement added.

President Trump also took note of the news and celebrated the pardon with his own X post at the time.

“I am pleased to announce that I have granted a full pardon to 85-year-old American patriot Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He kept Arizona safe!” Trump said.