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It seemed like only a matter of time, but Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu announced this morning that he’ll run for Congress in Arizona’s Fourth Congressional District.
“The American people are sounding a giant 911 call on Washington,” Babeu says. “And I’m responding.”
In a press release issued this morning, Babeu regurgitated the standard GOP talking points — the economy sucks, let’s close the border, etc.
“Right now, the biggest threats facing our country are from Washington,” he says. “We have record debt and deficit spending, the biggest intergenerational theft in the history of the world. We have a system that punishes job creators and leaves many millions unemployed. We have an unsecured border that allows the drug cartels to operate freely in our country, and results in 400,000 illegal crossings into our state every year.”
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Arizona’s CD-4 is one of the larger districts formed by Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Committee. It includes most of Mohave and Yavapai counties and some outlying parts of the metro Phoenix area.
Congressman David Schweikert currently lives in the District, but he’s expected to run in the right-leaning Ninth District, where he’ll likely face Congressman Ben Quayle in a GOP primary.
State Senator Ron Gould also has expressed interest in running for the CD-4 seat, and there are rumblings that Congressman Paul Gosar might throw his hat into the ring.
Because he waited until after January 1 to announce his candidacy, Babeu will not have to resign his current gig to run for Congress because he’s in the last year of his term, which makes him exempt from Arizona’s “Resign to Run” law.
See Babeu’s entire press release below:
Today I announce my candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in Arizona’s new 4th Congressional District.
As a first responder, I’m trained to run toward dangers that others run away from. Right now, the biggest threats facing our country are from Washington. We have record debt and deficit spending, the biggest intergenerational theft in the history of the world. We have a system that punishes job creators and leaves many millions unemployed. We have an unsecured border that allows the drug cartels to operate freely in our country, and results in 400,000 illegal crossings into our state every year.
How have our leaders responded to these threats? This Congress approved the largest debt ceiling increase in American history. The administration transferred 2,000 high powered weapons to the most dangerous criminals in North America, punishing whistleblowers and rewarding those responsible for “Fast and Furious.” Then they sued Arizona for doing the job they won’t do. While Americans watch their savings disappear, we have credible allegations of insider trading by members of Congress.
It’s time for a new Sheriff in Washington. The American people are sounding a giant 911 call on Washington. And I’m responding.
