Donald Trump on Saturday urged his supporters in Arizona to vote for Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, offering a rare down-ballot endorsement for a vulnerable Republican.
“And folks, he is a good man. He was one of the first endorsers of Donald Trump. Vote for Sheriff Joe!” Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, said at a rally in Phoenix, Ariz.
{mosads}”They don’t love tough people in this country anymore that know how to do their job and fair people. He’s tough, he’s fair and I hope he gets reelected. He should. Go out and make sure he gets reelected, everybody,” Trump said.
The 84-year-old sheriff is facing a tough reelection battle against his Democratic challenger, Paul Penzone.
Arpaio trailed by nearly 15 points in an Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite News poll conducted Oct. 10-15 as news broke that federal prosecutors would file a criminal contempt charge against the sheriff as part of a racial-profiling case.
That poll also showed that Arpaio is viewed unfavorably by 53 percent of likely Arizona voters.
On Tuesday, Arpaio was formally changed with criminal contempt of court after he allegedly disobeyed the federal government’s instruction to stop profiling Hispanic drivers.
Arpaio is especially unpopular among Hispanics, with many waging a campaign to remove him from office.
Trump is campaigning in Arizona as he and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton battle for support in the traditionally red state.