Maricopa County's landscape of law enforcement is witnessing a peculiar shuffle this election year, as three contenders for the interim Sheriff position have leapt party lines, according to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The switch comes on the heels of Democrat Paul Penzone's stepdown from the role, after six years at the helm.
In an intriguing twist of political maneuvering, the said candidates, previously long-time Republicans, have become Democrats to be eligible for the interim post, FOX 10 Phoenix reports. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, is tasked with appointing Penzone’s temporary successor, who is obliged to hail from the same party, a mandate from the Legislature complicates the board's selection.
Interestingly, the converted candidates are no strangers to the Sheriff's Office—former Apache Junction Commander Jeffrey Kirkham, former MCSO Deputy Chief Kenneth Booker, and current MCSO Chief Deputy Russ Skinner, who's been running the department since Penzone's tenure ended. "We have never done this before. This has never happened where we have candidates switching parties just months before the appointment. They knew the vacancy was coming, so all of a sudden they’re switching parties to say, ‘Hey, I’m a Democrat, I want to be considered,'" Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo said, signaling his discontent, according to the FOX 10 Phoenix report.
Amid this game of political musical chairs, Penzone bid his adieu, marking an end to a tenure that began with a victory over Republican Joe Arpaio in 2016. "It has been an honor to serve," Penzone reflected in a farewell speech, per FOX 10. Nevertheless, the office didn't stay leaderless for long, with Russ Skinner stepping in as the interim sheriff expected, to steer the department until voters have their say come November.
Gallardo advocates for a citizen review board, analogous to the process for the county attorney, to sift through the applicants, especially since the office is mandated to involve community engagement via a citizens advisory board by court order. Meanwhile, the ostensibly temporary Democrats have yet to comment on their party switch or the upcoming appointment by the board. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has long been awaiting a smooth transition but the waters of this political process are far from placid, guaranteeing a vigilant eye from the electorate as they watch this story unfold.
