By Rebekah L. Sanders
The Arizona Republic
Republican Martha McSally is drawing ire from former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ husband Mark Kelly for comparing herself to Giffords. McSally is campaigning in southern Arizona to defeat Giffords’ handpicked successor, Democrat Ron Barber.
McSally told a Tucson group that she has a style like Giffords of being “reasonable” and listening to constituents, according to a recent Washington Post story.
“I resemble Gabby Giffords more than the man who worked for her, although I am grateful for his service,” McSally said.
“I understand how people feel. The people of the district just lost their affable congresswoman, who was reasonable, and who listened to them,” McSally said at another event. “And, I guess what I would say is, well, who does that look like?” Then, she waved her hand.
Also: CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DIFFER ON RESOLUTION COOPER LAND EXCHANGE/San Tan Valley Today
Political TV ad buys approach $30 million in Arizona, and still counting/ and Few Arizona politicians digging deep for presidential candidates/Cronkite News
[NEWS RELEASE] Pinal Deputies, Detention Officers, Command Staff and Civilians Endorse Sheriff Paul Babeu for reelection
Florence, Ariz. – The Law Enforcement Association of Pinal County (LEAPC) and the Pinal County Commanders Association (PCCA) has formally endorsed Sheriff Paul Babeu for re-election.
Sgt. Christina VanGorden, on behalf of the LEAPC Board said, “The Law Enforcement Association of Pinal County represents detention officers, deputies, detectives and civilian staff of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and we overwhelmingly support and publicly endorse Sheriff Paul Babeu for re-election as our Sheriff. During his first term he implemented improved training, acquired new equipment and technology in order for the organization to perform exceptionally well. This results in improved public safety for our Pinal County families. We have the best operating county Jail in Arizona, as evidence in our 100% rating and national accreditation. Deputies’ response times for service have been reduced across Pinal County. We have asked Sheriff Babeu to continue to stay focused on obtaining competitive pay and benefits for our staff so that we can continue to recruit and retain quality staff, so that we can continue to improve service to our community. Many staff are being recruited to other agencies and this costs taxpayers more in the end to hire and train new staff.”
The Pinal County Commanders Association (PCCA) membership consists of command level personnel carrying the rank of lieutenant and above. The average length of experience of our membership approaches twenty years in every aspect of public safety; ranging from corrections to homicide investigation. The majority of the membership are merit system employees with tenured service with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and few members are appointed or at-will employees.
PCCA president Lt John Ellsworth said, “All commanders unanimously endorse Sheriff Paul Babeu. Sheriff Paul is a great leader who has proven highly effective as a veteran, Army Officer and Commander of over 700 soldiers to protect America. No candidate comes close to his honorable military service, civilian education and accomplishments as our Sheriff.
There is is no contest and there really hasn’t been one. Yet, we want the citizens we serve to know that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Sheriff.”
Sheriff Babeu said, “I’m humbled to earn the endorsement from the nearly 700 full time staff that I proudly lead in our Sheriff’s Office, who work hard to keep our families safe. I will continue to give my full effort to continue to earn their trust and of the 400,000 residents we serve in America’s fastest growing county”
The Department of Homeland Security recently awarded the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office with the Drug Investigation of the Year Award for the entire nation for Operation Pipeline Express. Pipeline Express is largest drug bust in Arizona history, valued at $2-$3 Billion in drug trafficking (cocaine, methamphetamine, black tar heroin and marijuana) where 76 members of the Sinaloa Cartel were arrested, along with 108 weapons (including scoped rifles, AK-47’s and 2 guns from Fast & Furious).
Sheriff Paul Babeu was named America’s 2011 Sheriff of the Year, the first time an Arizona Sheriff has been recognized with this prestigeous honor by National Sheriff’s Association. He reduced his budget while decreasing response times to emergencies by 50%. As a police officer, Babeu was awarded two medals for saving lives, and served as President of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association. A retired Major in the United States Army National Guard, he commanded Task Force Yuma, which reduced illegal border crossings by 97%, and served a tour of duty in Iraq.
Sheriff Babeu has an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement, Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Masters of Public Administration. Babeu served for two years as the President of the Arizona Sheriff’s Association and is a national leader on fighting illegal immigration, violent Mexican Drug Cartel. Sheriff Babeu is a member of the American Legion, VFW, board member for the Arizona Peace Officers Memoral and National Organization for Victims’ Rights.
