Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is facing a formal recall effort following mounting local criticism tied to his handling of the Nancy Guthrie investigation and broader concerns about leadership within the department.
The recall campaign was initiated by Daniel Butierez, a Republican congressional candidate, who confirmed that organizational efforts are already underway.
According to Butierez, approximately 500 volunteers have joined the initiative to gather signatures required to trigger a recall election. He described the movement as bipartisan, citing dissatisfaction among both Republican and Democratic residents.
Under Arizona law, recall organizers have 120 days to collect signatures totaling 25 percent of the votes cast in the last sheriff’s election. In this case, that threshold is estimated at roughly 120,000 valid signatures. Butierez stated that the campaign intends to exceed that number, targeting approximately 135,000 signatures to ensure qualification.
The effort follows a series of developments that have intensified scrutiny on Nanos. Critics point to his handling of the Guthrie case as a central issue, along with recent allegations that he provided inaccurate testimony under oath regarding his employment history. These claims have not been publicly resolved but have contributed to growing political pressure.
Butierez also stated that rank-and-file deputies expressed interest in initiating a recall themselves but were hesitant due to concerns about potential professional repercussions. He further claimed that deputies issued a unanimous vote of no confidence in Nanos, though independent verification of that claim has not been publicly detailed.
If the signature threshold is met, the Pima County Recorder will have 60 days to verify submissions. Upon certification, Nanos would be given five days to either resign or face a special recall election.
The recall effort is unfolding alongside Butierez’s congressional campaign against Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva. While he previously lost to Grijalva by a wide margin in a special election, Butierez indicated that increased visibility and community engagement could shift political dynamics in the upcoming race.
Local political reaction remains mixed. While critics argue the recall reflects widespread dissatisfaction, no formal response has been issued by the sheriff’s office. The situation continues to develop as organizers move forward with signature collection and verification procedures.
