A Marana intersection was packed with protestors and blue lives matter flags Friday afternoon, each holding a sign with the same message: “Deputies don’t want Chris Nanos.”

Nanos, a Democrat and the current sheriff, is being challenged by Republican opponent Heather Lappin for the position, in what’s quickly become the most contentious local race.

The crowd cited corruption within the sheriff’s department and the possibility of mass-exodus if Nanos is reelected as some of the largest issues bringing them out. Many of them wore masks  or costumes in order to hide their identities.

Dressed in an old-time sheriff’s costume, Sgt. Aaron Cross told Tucson Spotlight the agency is hanging in the balance this election. Cross was placed on administrative leave by Nanos a few weeks ago, with the sheriff claiming he was campaigning in clothing that looked like his department uniform.

Lappin was also placed on leave Oct. 14, with Nanos saying she colluded with a local reporter to arrange payment to an inmate in the Pima County Jail. The Arizona Luminaria has since clarified that their reporter worked with Lappin to arrange reimbursement to the inmate for money he spent on his phone interview with Washington.

“Deputies have had enough of this bullying and retaliation,” Cross said. “We’re trying to make our voices heard to everyone so they can understand what’s at stake.” 

According to Cross, the sheriff's department has already lost employees across several divisions. He said he knows of at least 16 deputies who are awaiting the outcome of the election before deciding if they’ll stay on.

“If he wins, they’re gone,” said Cross. “it’s probably $100,000 minimum to train one deputy, so that’s a lot of money and experience we’d be losing.”

The wife of one of the deputies, who would not reveal her name saying she fears  potential retaliation against her husband, said Nanos isn’t letting “cops be cops.”

“There’s a lot of back-door deals, dirty things, and promoting people who are corrupt,” she said, describing the current state of the Sheriff’s department.  “Promoting the ‘good old boys’ behind closed doors and retaliating against anyone who doesn’t fall in line with them.”

Nanos has long been accused of rewarding colleagues who are loyal to him and retaliating against those who challenge or anger him.

Last week, Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz called on Nanos to end his reelection bid, citing his suspension of Lappin as a violation of her First Amendment rights and “an attempt to smear and silence his opponent.”

Another anonymous protester wearing a bandana around his face told Spotlight that if Nanos is elected, he will leave his job with the department. 

“We are overworked and we are understaffed,” he said. “It’s been unsafe conditions for the longest time and we need some change because morale is at an all-time low.”

Like Cross, he believes Nanos’ reelection would lead to a mass-exodus across the department. He said that since Nanos returned to office in 2021, the department has been hemorrhaging staffers, with many deputies leaving for other agencies in the state. 

Despite the chaos in the race, many protesters said they were hopeful Lappin would win the race, calling her the fresh change they’ve been looking for.

Wes Scott, who works on Lappin’s campaign, waved a large Blue Lives Matter flag after each car’s honk of encouragement. Scott said he believes Lappin’s experience and background brings something new to the table, making her an ideal candidate. 

“Men have dominated the industry and women come in and don’t make as much but they’re proven in the field that they can do it,” he said. “She trains, she knows this stuff inside-out and I think she is going to be an excellent sheriff.”

Olivia Krupp is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at oliviakrupp@arizona.edu.

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