Republican challenger files petitions for sheriff's election

A Republican candidate for Pima County sheriff submitted his petitions to the county elections office Wednesday.

Mark Napier, who ran against then-Sheriff Clarence Dupnik in 2012, submitted 1,269 signatures — nearly 500 more than the 771 required, according to a post on his Facebook page.

Napier announced his candidacy in late March, saying that the organization of the sheriff’s department needs a change, as it has been under the same leadership for 30 years.

He’s already earned the endorsement of the Tucson Police Officer Association, said Jason Winsky, government affairs director.

Napier spent 21 years working for the Tucson Police Department and is associate director of operations for the University of Arizona’s Parking and Transportation Services.

In the 2012 election, Napier ended up with 46 percent of the vote to Dupnik’s 51 percent.

With Napier’s filing there are now two Republicans who have announced they are running in the August primary for sheriff.

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Terry Staten announced last week his plans to run for the sheriff’s job.

Staten, a sergeant with the sheriff’s department, was placed on unpaid leave Friday, days after his announcement.

He said he’s collected almost all of the required signatures for his candidacy papers, and plans to file them in the next week.

Sheriff Chris Nanos, a Democrat, has also declared his candidacy, but has not yet filed his petitions.

He was appointed by the county Board of Supervisors to complete the term of Dupnik, who retired in 2015.

The deadline for candidates to turn in signatures is June 1. The primary election is Aug. 30. The winners in each party will face off in November.