Pearce for Sheriff???

One of few things I can think of worse for Arizona than Arpaio as Sheriff would be if Russell Pearce were elected to that office. Bad enough we let that man have a gun as a private citizen and make laws in this state; what a nightmare if he also commanded all the deputies and had the power to really mess with whomever he wants on an individual basis...Sheriff Joe is a relatively harmless bigot next to Pearce. 

Let's hope it's just PBJ's fantasy and speculation, because once something (or someone) really bad gets on Arizona's ballot, it passes.

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Anti-illegal immigrant slate lining up for 2010 governor's race
Phoenix Business Journal - by Mike Sunnucks

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The slate of conservative, anti-illegal-immigrant candidates eyeing runs for key Arizona elected posts next year continues to grow and could be a strong force in the 2010 elections.

Conservative attorney Bill Montgomery has filed campaign paperwork to run for Maricopa County attorney if current County Attorney Andrew Thomas runs for Arizona attorney general next year.

Montgomery works as a prosecutor in the county attorney's office and lost the 2006 attorney general's race to Democrat Terry Goddard. Montgomery, like Thomas, is a Republican who favors tough border controls and aggressive enforcement of immigration laws.

An anti-illegal-immigrant slate would include Thomas running for attorney general, Montgomery running for county attorney, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio running for governor and state Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Ariz., running for sheriff.

The quartet favor state laws punishing businesses that hire illegal immigrants, raids and sweeps of illegals and denying state benefits and welfare to anyone not here legally.

The immigration debate continues to be a top issue, with Arpaio in particular garnering support from conservatives who want stiffer border controls and opposition from Hispanic activists.

Montgomery has filed to form an exploratory committee with the Maricopa County Elections Department. Thomas has done the same for a potential run for state attorney general. Arpaio has pondered a run for governor before but never pulled the trigger. Pearce said he would look at running for sheriff only if Arpaio runs for governor.

A Republican primary for governor could include Arpaio, Gov. Jan Brewer, former Gov. Fife Symington, State Treasurer Dean Martin and Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker. Arpaio said he recently met with Parker but did not say what the two discussed.

Goddard is the expected Democratic candidate for governor in 2010. Goddard takes a less aggressive approach to immigration than Arpaio and Thomas.