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Sheriff Joe Backs Rick Perry

Will announce endorsement next week: source

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 28, 2011 10:50 AM CST

(Newser) – Arizona’s fiery Sheriff Joe Arpaio has chosen his candidate for 2012, and it’s Rick Perry. The self-styled “America’s Toughest Sheriff” will endorse the Texas governor next week, a source confirms to ABC News and NBC News. Perry has reportedly spoken by phone with the illegal immigration hardliner since entering the race. Arpaio will campaign with Perry in New Hampshire next week, the source says.

ABC News calls his endorsement “much sought after,” and notes that Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, and Mitt Romney also courted him. But in the Atlantic, Andrew Cohen wonders, “Why would anyone want Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s endorsement?” The fact that the candidates competed for Arpaio “is just one of the many mind-bending absurdities of the 2012 race.” Sure, the sheriff is nationally known, “but he's made a terrible mess of his own job in Maricopa County, which is littered with litigation over his policies and practices.”

In this July 30, 2010 photo, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio talks about his latest crime suppression sweep in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Sheriff Joe Backs Rick Perry

Will announce endorsement next week: source

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Rick Perry • illegal immigration • political endorsement • Election 2012 • Joe Arpaio • 2012 Presidential Candidates • Arizona immigration law • Rick Perry 2012 • Republican nomination race 2012

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