Deputy Commander Penzone registered as a Democrat the day after the sheriff announced his resignation. An election lawyer said party hopping was “taking advantage of the system.”
PHOENIX — Finding a Democratic sheriff for Maricopa County has proven difficult.
Just three months after Democratic Sheriff Paul Penzone announced he would step down with one year left in his second four-year term, three of the leading candidates for interim sheriff were registered Republicans. was.
All three are currently registered Democrats, according to records provided to 12News by the Maricopa County Recorder's Office.
One of the applicants, Penzone Deputy Commander Russ Skinner, changed his registration from Republican to Democrat on Oct. 3, the day after Penzone announced his resignation.
According to state law, Mr. Penzone's successor must be from the same party.
“It would be pretty egregious to appoint someone who tried to game the system,” said attorney James Barton, a campaign lawyer for Democratic candidates at the Phoenix-based firm Barton Mendez Soto.
“I hope the person who replaces me keeps that in mind and that something like that doesn't happen,” Barton said.
No decision schedule
The deadline to submit applications for the interim sheriff position to the Maricopa County Commission was Friday at 5 p.m.
There are at least seven candidates for interim sheriff until the November election for a new sheriff, according to a filing provided to 12 News by the county.
The board will now conduct background checks, interview candidates and possibly consult with Penzone. There is no timeline for naming an interim sheriff.
Meanwhile, Mr. Skinner runs a 3,500-employee department that serves as county jailers and law enforcement officers in unincorporated areas.
party hopping is not illegal
Just to be clear, party hopping is not illegal.
Under state law, applicants must be members of the same political party as the sheriff they replace.
In this case, Penzone was a registered Democrat but had little to do with politics. Penzone, a former Phoenix police officer, won his first term in 2016, becoming the first Democratic sheriff to be elected sheriff in at least 30 years.
RELATED: Sheriff Paul Penzone won't seek third term
Another thing that is not illegal is that a party switcher can re-register as a Republican after being appointed sheriff and then run for office.
“Oh my god, do we need a law to prevent all kinds of pranks?” Barton said furiously.
It is not yet clear whether any of the applicants are willing to campaign for the election.
The Republican-controlled county commission may want the administrator to resign after the election.
Qualification information for 7 applicants
Here are the applicants and documents submitted to the county commission as of Friday at 4 p.m.
Former Chief Deputy Russ Skinner is a 34-year veteran of MCSO. He was a registered Republican for 36 years.Click here for more about him resume and cover letter.
Former MCSO Deputy Chief Kenneth Booker. He was a registered Republican for 23 years. Mr Booker changed his political party last November.Click here for more about him resume and cover letter.
Jeffrey Kirkham is the former police chief of Apache Junction and Nogales. He changed his registration to Democrat this month after being registered as a Republican for 36 years.Click here for more about him resume and cover letter.
Patrick Valenzuela Sr. is a lieutenant with the Glendale Police Department and has been with the department for 28 years. He is a registered Democrat and has never changed political parties.Click here for more about him resume and cover letter.
Scott Meyer is an MCSO sergeant and former detention officer. No registration information available.Click here for more about him resume and cover letter.
Grant Harrison is a project management assistant for the City of Phoenix Office of Homelessness. No registration information available. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Brandon Ortiz has worked as a correctional officer with the Arizona Department of Corrections for seven years. No registration information available.Click here for more about him resume and cover letter.
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