PRESCOTT, AZ – Law enforcement from all across District One today came together to announce their support for Ann Kirkpatrick, who has worked side-by-side with them for years and has stood up against her own party to fight for them in Washington. County Sheriffs, County Attorneys, the former director of the Department of Public Safety, one of the largest law enforcement organizations in the state and officers throughout Greater Arizona are endorsing Ann—most for the second election in a row.
“Ann is exactly the kind of independent voice we need in Washington,” said Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil. “She is a steadfast ally of the folks who put our lives on the line every day to protect our communities. I am proud to give her my full support.”
“Border security is a major concern in Arizona, and Ann has been exceedingly successful and dedicated to helping us win the fight against drug trafficking and border violence,” said Gila County Sheriff John Armer. “Ann led the fight to save the SCAAP funding our officers rely on and succeeded in pushing the House back into session to pass $600 million of new border security funding that will end up keeping Gila County safer.”
“Ann has shown again and again that she listens to our first responders and fights to make Washington hear us,” said Navajo County Sheriff K.C. Clark. “Her work to get Navajo County included in the highly successful HIDTA anti-drug trafficking program is just one example of her tireless work on behalf of the law enforcement community. Ann has my endorsement and my sincere gratitude.”
“I have a great respect for Ann’s willingness to listen to the wishes and concerns of the people of her district and vote accordingly in Congress, unlike many of our elected officials who vote blindly along party lines,” said Chino Valley Police Commander Charles Wynn. “I can think of no one better qualified or who I would support more as our U.S. Representative from District One than Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick.”
“Ann’s experience as a prosecutor is clearly a valuable asset for her as our representative,” said Pinal County Attorney Jim Walsh. “She understands how law enforcement operates, and she has been able to deliver the support our first responders need to do their jobs.”
“It is a true honor to be able to stand with so many of the brave men and women who keep us safe,” said Ann Kirkpatrick. “Far too often, Washington finds it politically expedient to ignore the concerns of folks here in Greater Arizona. This tremendous endorsement inspires me to keep fighting to make sure our law enforcement officers have the resources and support they need to protect our communities.”
The extensive list of law enforcement endorsing Ann includes the following:
Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs
Apache County Sheriff Joseph Dedman
Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil
Gila County Sheriff John Armer
Greenlee County Sheriff Steve Tucker
Navajo County Sheriff KC Clark
Coconino County Attorney Dave Rozema
Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon
Pinal County Attorney Jim Walsh
Former Director of Public Safety Roger Vanderpool
Retired DPS Officer and Judge Shorty Morrow
Chino Valley Police Commander Charles Wynn
As a former prosecutor, Ann Kirkpatrick has been working with law enforcement for years to stop drug trafficking and violent crime, and is committed to supporting them in their work to keep us safe—no matter who she has to fight.
During her first term, Ann led a successful drive to stop the Obama Administration from eliminating the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), one of the few programs that reimburses states and localities for the cost of fulfilling the federal government’s role along the border. As part of her “Save SCAAP” campaign, she delivered letters from District One law enforcement personnel to the White House and Congressional leadership, helping persuade them to preserve the funding.
She also introduced legislation to include all of Greater Arizona in a highly-successful anti-drug trafficking initiative and last month helped Navajo County enroll in it after months of tireless advocacy. Furthermore, she is pushing for the Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, which helps police departments hire additional officers, to take into account the critical role district law enforcement is playing in the fight against the Mexican drug cartels.
