Oro Valley’s loss may just be Pima County’s gain.
Mark Napier, who in March finished fifth out of six candidates in an impromptu bid to join the Oro Valley Town Council, now finds himself as the strongest challenger in years for longtime Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik.
The 50-year-old former Tucson Police Department captain, 50, blew away a crowded field to win the GOP nomination for sheriff, getting more than 43 percent of the 59,199 votes counted as of Wednesday. That is just barely fewer than the candidates who finished third, fourth and fifth—combined.
“If somebody said we would pull almost 28 points in a five-way race I’d say I don’t think so,” said Napier, who credits a strong ground game orchestrated by his support staff, as well as a commitment to keep his campaign positive. “And I think the message stays the same, it’s one of positive. It’s simply time for a new sheriff. I think most people in Pima County realize that. They want a visible, engaged, dynamic sheriff, and we’ve missed that.”
Dupnik, a Democrat seeking an eighth term, is rumored to be planning to step down sometime during the next four-year period if re-elected. Sticking to his avoidance of negativity, Napier wouldn’t speak to that allegation, instead directing the person it reflects to do so.
“Sheriff Dupnik needs to speak to that; he needs to convince voters that they’re choosing him for a four-year term,” Napier said.
The general election is Nov. 6, and until then, Napier said he will continue to burn the candle at three ends, so to speak. In addition to campaigning, Napier is associate director of operation for the University of Arizona’s Parking and Transportation Services, and he also runs the online criminal justice program for Boston University.
“I typically work from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” he said. “But I’ve got to balance it. I’ll take some vacation here and there.”
This article appears in Aug 30 – Sep 5, 2012.
Good luck to Mr. Napier. dupnik needs to go for all the reasons he mentioned and more.
Thanks, Brian Pederson, for the story.
Green Party Dave Croteau is also in the Pima County Sheriff’s race with a platform of ending the failed war on drugs, protecting the peace, and keeping people in their foreclosure-threatened homes.
Dave’s bold ideas offer voters a real choice, if only the media will provide news consumers with the information. Dave’s running his campaign on the $500 spending limit, so you won’t see those glossy, say-nothing brochures or environmentally-unfriendly yard signs.
If the “4th branch of government”, the media, do their jobs, we’ll have a great back-and-forth on the core issues in this race.
With Napier we have a chance of a sheriff who can and would hold his own in dealing with LaWall.
I’m afraid I can’t see in this article how this new guy, Napier, might be a win for Pima County. And, except that he might be retiring soon, I don’t see any problems with Dupnik. I just see another Republican wailing about the cost of government who can’t wait to get himself to the trough…with whatever office he can win first.
Hello Folks, I am Mark Napier. I encourage you to visit my website (http://www.marknapier4sheriff.org). Cascabel, I am 50 years old and have no intention of retiring soon. We can make a positive difference with Pima County. We need a visible, engaged and energetic leader for the department. I have 28 years of LE experience and a Master’s Degree from Boston University. It is time for a visible Sheriff. It is time for an engaged Sheriff that reaches out to neighborhoods, business groups and our schools. It is time for an energetic Sheriff to move the department forward in a positive way. It is simply time for a new Sheriff. I hope to earn your support. I can be e-mailed through my website and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Thank you, Mark
Well, considering the blatant and self-published (“blah, blah, blah”) political ad above, (Posted by markdnapier on 08/31/2012 at 12:31 PM) Red Star wonders whether Tucson Weekly might amend its Comments Policy and explicitly exclude political ads slyly masquerading (because we’re all so stupid?) as comment just as it has excluded “Commercial promotions or spam” over at:
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/Comment…