Ex-Arizona sheriff, Trump ally Joe Arpaio running for Senate
PHOENIX (AP) – Former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio has announced he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Jeff Flake.
The 85-year-old Arpaio is a Republican and close ally of President Donald Trump.
Arpaio tweeted Tuesday he seeking the post to support Trump’s agenda “in his mission to Make America Great Again.”
Arpaio was spared a possible jail sentence last year when Trump pardoned his conviction for disobeying a judge’s order in an immigration case.
He flirted with the idea running for Arizona governor five times but decided against doing so each time.
Arpaio says in a fundraising email that he filed paperwork Tuesday for the Senate run.
The Republican Flake has been critical of Trump and announced last year that he would not seek another term.