Sheriff claims age is no barrier to becoming mayor.
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz.—When “America’s Toughest Sheriff” Joe Arpaio wore a younger man’s uniform—times were different in Maricopa County, Arizona.
The streets and neighborhoods felt relatively safer. The now porous southern border was less like Swiss cheese, the fentanyl scourge but a specter in the future.
In Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s no-nonsense, law-and-order world, you got locked up if you did the crime. It didn’t matter if you were a Democrat or a Republican—”I locked them all up.”
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Sometimes, you got locked up with a chain gang or were issued pink underwear and fed bologna sandwiches on dry bread as you did your penance to society.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio initiated these targeted programs to combat crime and drugs and boost his public image to good effect.
Feeling Better
He feels even better about his political future, age notwithstanding.
“People don’t even talk about my age because they see me out there [campaigning] every day,” he says, though some of his enemies claim—not too loudly—”He’s too old. Look at Biden.”
It’s a valid question, he admits, in light of President Biden’s (age 80) televised struggles with teleprompters and climbing stairs, and Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell’s (age 81) sudden freeze-ups on camera.
“Let me get something clear: I am very disturbed at people saying [Mr. Biden] is too old—especially with me,” Mr. Arpaio told The Epoch Times. “But I think I crossed the hump on that when I lost” in the last mayoral election.
“I’m getting more support when I roam the streets than if I won.”
In matters of age and politics, Americans seem split sharply on these topics.
A recent Pew Research Center poll found that 65 percent expressed extreme dissatisfaction with politics in general—to the point of exhaustion.
“Positive views of many governmental and political institutions are at historic lows,” according to the Sept. 19 nationwide poll.
The poll found that just 16 percent of the public trusted the federal government “always or most of the time,” while 28 percent “disliked both political parties.”
Regarding a politician’s age, most poll respondents supported age and term limits and eliminating the Electoral College.
Ready to Serve
In 2022, at age 18, Jaylen Smith was elected the youngest mayor of Earle, Arkansas (population 1,785) and one of the youngest mayors in U.S. history, beating his opponent with nearly 56 percent of the vote.
Like his much older counterparts in other municipalities, Mr. Smith believes the desire to make a positive difference—not age—should determine one’s success in public office.
In Fountain Hills, the race for mayor is a non-partisan event, although Republican candidate Joe Arpaio says that partisanship gets involved much too often.
City Clerk Linda Mendenhall said that only two candidates—Joseph Arpaio and Gerry Friedel—had filed a statement of interest in the 2024 mayoral race.
“It is an open race, and the candidates have until 5 p.m. on April 8, 2024, to file their signature petitions to be placed on the ballot,” Ms. Mendenhall told The Epoch Times.
Now or Never
Mr. Arpaio makes no bones about supporting Donald Trump in his current legal troubles and running for president as a Republican.
He also feels it’s time that he focus less on his five decades in law enforcement and more on his civic agenda if and when he becomes the next mayor of Fountain Hills.
Fighting crime, of course, will be a top priority.
“My interest is this town. When they say I’m too old—I’ve never been in a hospital overnight” for a severe health issue, Mr. Arpaio said.
“Do you know anyone 91 who’s never been in a hospital? Show them to me.”
“The only other time I was in a hospital was when I was born.”
These days, Mr. Arpaio said he’s up 15 hours a day, meeting people and planning his strategy.
What keeps him going?
“It’s the Italian olive oil,” he says tongue in cheek. “Of course, I used to deliver olive oil in high school, working for my father for $3 a day.”
And this time around, Mr. Arpaio said he’s walking a whole new talk on the campaign trail.
That’s the key to staying politically viable and relevant.
“This time, I’m emphasizing what I will do more than this big brochure that concentrates on me being the sheriff. This time around, I’m going to do things differently,” he said, speaking from experience.
“The hook is I lived it. Everything I plan on doing [as mayor], I did as sheriff.”
Impact an individual’s abilities, others believe that age should not be a determining factor for eligibility. What are the potential limitations of politicians due to advancing age
At despite his age, Arpaio’s political career is not hindered by concerns regarding his ability to serve the public. She stated, “Age is just a number. Mayor Arpaio has proven time and time again that he has the energy and dedication to serve the people of Fountain Hills effectively.”
Arpaio’s supporters echo these sentiments, emphasizing his experience and leadership skills. They argue that age should not be a determining factor in a candidate’s eligibility to hold public office. They believe that what truly matters is a candidate’s commitment to serving the community and their ability to implement effective policies.
However, critics argue that advancing age can impact an individual’s cognitive abilities and physical stamina, potentially hindering their ability to perform their duties effectively. They point to examples such as President Biden’s struggles with communication and Senator McConnell’s recent freeze-ups as evidence of age-related limitations.
Despite these criticisms, Arpaio remains confident in his ability to serve the people of Fountain Hills. He asserts that his age is not a relevant concern, as his passion for public service outweighs any potential limitations. He highlights the support he receives from the community while campaigning as evidence of his continued relevance and capability.
The issue of age in politics is a divisive one for Americans. The Pew Research Center poll mentioned earlier reveals a significant level of discontentment with the political landscape, with a majority expressing dissatisfaction. Public trust in political institutions is at historic lows, and there is growing support for age and term limits.
However, examples like Jaylen Smith, the youngest mayor in U.S. history, demonstrate that age alone should not be a determining factor for eligibility. Smith’s success as a young mayor serves as a testament to the belief that anyone, regardless of age, can make a positive difference in their community if they possess the dedication and drive.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding age and politics is far from settled. While some argue that age can
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