PHOENIX (AP) — The race for Maricopa County sheriff pits Democratic incumbent Paul Penzone against Republican Jerry Sheridan, who served as the agency's second-in-command during the final years of Joe Arpaio's tenure as sheriff.
Penzone came into office promising to bring a more low-key professionalism than Arpaio, closed his predecessor’s complex of jail tents, and made more strides than Arpaio in complying with court-ordered overhauls of the agency that have stripped away of some of its autonomy.
Sheridan is selling himself as a leader with 38 years of experience who can lift up sagging employee morale and help win some of the agency’s autonomy back from the court.
