Joe Arpaio was first elected as Maricopa County Sheriff in 1992.
Paul Penzone ousted Arpaio in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020, but resigned a year before the end of his term. Russ Skinner was appointed to replace Penzone earlier this year, but lost in the Democratic primary.
This is the first time in decades that a sitting sheriff will not run in the general election.
The 2024 race for sheriff will be between Democrat Tyler Kampf and Republican Jerry Sheridan.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is one of the largest sheriff's offices in the nation, employing more than 3,000 employees, including deputies, jail guards, and civilians.
The office patrols unincorporated areas of the county and city without a designated police force. It also enforces superior court orders and warrants, collects delinquent taxes, coordinates search and rescue operations, and supervises the county's five jails.
As the campaign season progresses, the Arizona Republic's justice team will collect reporting on the Maricopa County Sheriff's race and update this page. Find information about candidates and important developments in the race.
Who is Democratic candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff Tyler Kump?
Tyler Kampf previously worked as a shift commander, gang enforcement sergeant, and homicide detective for the Phoenix Police Department. He is a fifth-generation Maricopa County resident and has over 20 years of law enforcement experience.
Kamp pledged to revamp the company's recruiting efforts, specifically targeting women and veterans, while also focusing on retention. Primary voters said they liked Kamp because he came from outside the sheriff's office and didn't have the baggage associated with the challenges facing the agency. But Kamp vowed to build on what he called the successes of the Penzone administration.
Who is Republican Maricopa County Sheriff candidate Jerry Sheridan?
Jerry Sheridan served as a chief deputy in the sheriff's office under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He served in various positions with the Sheriff's Office for 40 years, eventually rising to the rank of Deputy Commander.
Sheridan said he is the perfect candidate to improve recruitment and retention as he strives to restore employee pride. Several voters told The Arizona Republic during the primary that they supported Sheridan because they believed he would revive tactics from the Arpaio era, when he billed himself as “America's Toughest Sheriff.” .
2024 Maricopa County Sheriff Election Coverage
Despite switching his party registration from Republican to Democratic in mid-December 2023, Kump enjoyed support from the county Democratic Party during the primary. Mr. Sheridan defeated two other Republicans in the primary to advance to the general seat. He proved to be the best fundraiser ever in both primaries.
Send your election news and accountability tips to Republic justice reporters Jimmy Jenkins, Elena Santa Cruz and Miguel Torres. jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com, elena.santacruz@gannett.com and miguel.torres@arizonarepublic.com.
