Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio proclaimed his popularity and invincibility as an elected official Thursday night in front of a crowd of approximately 30 College Republican members at the Agriculture building.
Arpaio was the guest speaker for the organization's final meeting of the semester. He spoke about issues ranging from media coverage to his hopes of being re-elected next year.
"How come I'm still here?" he said. "I must be doing something right. They wanted to get rid of me — they can't get rid of me."
The 75-year-old Arpaio, who has served the county for 15 years, said he believes he holds a great deal of public support.
"I could've been the governor," Arpaio said. "Everybody knows it. I don't want to be the governor. But you say, 'I'm from Arizona,' they're going to say, 'Do you know Sheriff Joe?' I'm the toughest sheriff in America — no, in the world."
But Arpaio added he is not actively campaigning for re-election as county sheriff.
"I don't have to campaign," he said. "My secret weapon? I go meet the people. I average two speeches a day, I guarantee."
Arpaio mentioned the media — specifically the Phoenix New Times and The State Press — a number of times in his hour-long speech.
"They call me a publicity hound," he said. "I don't talk to the media. Sometimes (The State Press) isn't one of my favorites. Jeez, I don't need your press — I got worldwide (press), I got national."
Arpaio also answered questions about a possible recall in light of a recent controversy involving the arrest of the owners of the Phoenix New Times.
The owners were arrested in October on misdemeanor charges after publishing grand jury information related to a four-year-long feud with Arpaio.
But Arpaio said he is unfazed by the media attention and is confident of his position as sheriff.
"My polls are always, what? Seventy, 80 percent (approval rating)," he said. "They just did a poll. I'm still 65 percent."
Arpaio added that polls do not accurately reflect public opinion.
Chad Heywood, a history senior and member of the College Republicans, summed up Arpaio's speech as entertaining.
"I like how approachable he is," Heywood added. "I think that's part of his magic."
Paul Gambill, president of the College Republicans, said he was surprised by how entertaining Arpaio was.
"It's fitting that a man with such an entertaining personality is America's toughest sheriff," Gambill said. "I loved everything he had to say."
Gambill added that he didn't think media coverage had affected Arpaio's popularity within the county.
"He does what he thinks he needs to do," Gambill said. "He made that clear tonight — he makes his decisions and he sticks by them."
The self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in the world added that he just wants to be allowed to do his job.
"I just want to be the sheriff," he said. "Leave me alone."
Reach the reporter at sarah.g.owen@asu.edu
