US

Recall Campaign Seeks to Oust Outspoken AZ Sheriff

In the wake of the tragic shootings in Tucson, Ariz., Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik became an unlikely spokesperson for the left as he pointed the finger of blame at the right and conservatives’ “vitriolic rhetoric” for the acts of madman.

Recall Campaign Seeks to Oust Outspoken AZ Sheriff

KGUN

Sheriff Dupnik has never lost an election, but after trying to tie public figures such as Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh to the shootings and calling Arizona a “mecca for prejudice and bigotry,” some are hoping to disrupt the Democrat’s winning streak.

A group opposed to illegal immigration has begun an effort to recall the sheriff in a special election, the Washington Times reports. Additionally, a Pima County tea party group is planning a “Dump Dupnik” campaign rally to be held outside the sheriff’s office next week.

“I haven‘t been a fan of Dupnik’s for a long time, but this really was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Tom Rompel, co-owner of Black Weapons Armory in Tucson. “He’s law enforcement. We expect ‘the facts, ma’am,’ not his opinion. He leans far left, always has, and frankly, people have had enough.”

Not that the sheriff should worry about turning in his badge just yet. Sheriff Dupnik has won election eight times, and he’s a Democrat in a Democrat-majority county. While some constituents were appalled by his comments, others have applauded his forthright indictment of the state’s political climate.

Witness the “Clarence Dupnik is my Hero” page on Facebook, which so far has 9,582 who “like this.”

“He is not afraid to call the bullies out on their part in this mess. Civility without hate speech is our mission!” says the page in its description paragraph.

Dupnik‘s national notoriety began after he publicly disavowed his own state’s SB 1070 illegal immigration crackdown law and vowed that his Pima County police force would not enforce the law.  But it was Dupnik’s comments that came about an hour after after the Jan. 8 shooting left six dead and 13 wounded.  Despite having no evidence to substantiate his claims, Dupnik inserted his own opinion into his role assessing the crime — an act condemned by another well-known Arizona sheriff, Joe Arpaio.

The Pima County Tea Party Patriots group plans to “indict” the sheriff at their rally next week for “politicizing the shootings, blaming free speech for the crime without evidence, failing to protect Giffords, failing to recuse himself from the investigation, and embarrassing the community in front of the nation,” according to the Arizona Daily Star.

On Wednesday, Sheriff Dupnik’s office issued a statement saying he would have no further comment on the shooting.

For recall efforts to proceed to a ballot referendum, Dupnik’s detractors will need to gather 90,809 valid signatures in the next 120 days — no small feat in a county with 485,629 registered voters.  And in the Democratic-majority county, recall supporters would need to find a candidate who could successfully defeat Dupnik in a special election.

“He’s never been in a close race. He wins by huge margins,” said Pima County Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Rogers. “He is widely respected and beloved public official. You want to run for office in this town, you want a picture of Clarence Dupnik standing next to you.”

“The sheriff’s effect on our viewers has been highly polarizing, with the commenters tending to either love him or hate him,” KGUN news director Forrest Carr said Friday.

But despite the public discontent over Sheriff Dupnik’s recent job performance, one thing remains unchanged, Carr notes: “[T]he bulk of the messages continues to consist of thoughts and well wishes for Gabrielle Giffords and for the other victims and their families.”

Comments (214)

  • Carl1
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:34pm

    Should have been fired the day after the shooting.

    Report Post » Carl1 Supports Israel  
    • Chuck U Farley
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:57am

      Um yea, he’s elected there Carl. Which is a problem. The whole concept of county sheriffs is a problem. The county sheriff is an elected official, therefore also a slimy politician. He is a political animal, and he seems to have forgotten that the campaigning is over.

      Elected polarized law enforcement does not work.

      Report Post » Chuck U Farley  
  • boxertoys
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:34pm

    Wasn’t the sheriff charater in Smokie and the Bandit based on Dupnik?

    Report Post »  
    • LVMerrily
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:41pm

      In actions only – apologies to the great Jackie Gleason.

      Report Post »  
  • Volsense
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:29pm

    Hey Dipstick, it’s just the voters want to express “their” opinions too. You should be happy to get this vote of confidence from those who you supposedly represent. Its so liberal to put your opinion above the voice ot the people, but we know how liberals respond to those who disagree with them. Let the flushing begin.

    Report Post »  
  • Joe_2112
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:29pm

    Good news, I’m glad to hear the people of Arizona have realized what a moron, and political hack this Obama nut-hugger really is. Put him out on his azzz.. It’s a travesty that he has stayed in power as long as he has.

    Report Post »  
  • Eaglesnest
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:27pm

    You know what ticks me off about all this? The so called “hate speech” and lack of civility is as bad if not worse on the left than on the right. Yet the left controls the lexicon on all this and gets to set this ludicrous double standard that NOBODY seems to question. I would never have the gall nor the intellectual dishonesty to create, admninster and/or be a part of a facebook page that implies that this vitriolic speech ONLY comes from the right. Ed Schultz is the worst, but I guess it is not really hate speech if nobody actually hears it.

    Report Post » Eaglesnest  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:23pm

    i live in maracopa county—this is a great idea, even shefiff Joe hates this guy

    Report Post » Cabo King  
    • 33sharks
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:01pm

      Maybe Sheriff Joe come and kick this guy out when his is voted out of office!!!

      Report Post » 33sharks  
  • joehanx2
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:20pm

    somebody get a hold of a pima county sherriffs handbook and see if he violated any of his own policies

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:17pm

    well the voters will have thier say either way I think this is good news

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • youmustread
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:16pm

    moron

    Report Post » youmustread  
  • mcpbob
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:14pm

    any donations needed to help oust this so called Sheriff?

    Report Post » mcpbob  
  • SUNBURST
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:13pm

    Its about time Tucson !
    Get that idiot out of office. He has NO clue what his job is.

    Report Post »  
  • Da Kingfish
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:13pm

    It was a knee jerk reaction by a senile old man, to old, to liberal, to powerful, be gone, sit on the front porch in a rocker and count the illegals as the cross the border!

    Report Post » Da Kingfish  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:11pm

    Sheriff Dipstick, the epitome of a liberal law enforcement officer. This guy reminds me of Barney Fife .. you need to get real

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:03pm

    This would be poetic justice to see him lose his Sheriffs job, but then he’ll be in our faces on the MSM talking heads circuit. Oh well! Just have to bare it.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • roostercogburn
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:01pm

    Sheriff Dipstick has to go, hope they can pull this off, there is no room in the sheriff‘s office for progressive liberal’s, we need FACTS not emotions and feelings, liberals get easily confused with facts, they run their lives, and ours for that matter based on emotions and feelings..

    Report Post » roostercogburn  
  • bry
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:58pm

    I hope the effort to recall Dupnik is successful. The man is out of touch. His opinion has no place in an investigation. Even if for some reason his opinion was warrented, it was wrong. Very wrong and dangerous. How can an elected official insult his constituants? Obama sets a poor example for his lemmings.

    Report Post » bry  
  • Miser
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:57pm

    It is about time for the sheriff to take his 50 plus year experience, and his pension and ride into the sunset. I do not know what his record is as far as his investigative skills. I hope it was better than his recent gaffs. Better to step aside and let real professionals in his department work. Political hacks make terrible cops. And he has chosen to be a political hack. His badge needs to be taken away.

    Report Post »  
  • Steve Martin
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:57pm

    Run this idiot out of office

    Report Post » Steve Martin  
    • Hobo Boondocks
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:26pm

      There’s no fool like an old fool. If this man was voted out of office today, in five years time, if he lived that long, he’d be saying the same ignoramus things. And since he would be out of office, there’d be additional comments, he felt should not be stated while he was in office. And the media would probably be listening. The former Governor of New York has a job in front of the camera, why not this liar?

      Report Post »  
  • id-look-fat-in-a-burka
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:57pm

    He needs to be removed!! This guy is a total MORON!!

    Report Post » does this burka make me look fat?  
  • JaneDo
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:57pm

    …..and they brought them ALL here against the will of the majority.

    Report Post »  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:56pm

    It is not the fact that Dupnik called people out, it is the fact that he made it up as he went along and created a climate of hate by giving his opinion instead of the facts of the case. It was about the horrific tragedy that occured thanks to a deranged man and the hope and prayers that went out to those who lost their lives and those fighting for their lives. It was about Gabrielle Gifford’s fight to survive and be able to take her rightful place back in Congress – it was not about him getting his 10 mins of fame sucking up to the liberal media and making the morning circuit in NY. He was and is a disgrace to his badge and should be replaced by someone qualified to do a responsible job with this investigation.

    Report Post »  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:22pm

      Grandma You are right in everything you said. But there is this too… not only was he a disgrace to his badge, he did not do his job as the law requires. He said he was friends with some that were shot. With that alone, he needed to take himself off the case as his personal feelings would hinder clear thinking and screw up the investigation. I think we saw clearly, evidence of “hindering of clear thinking” and it will most likely be a huge point for the defense at trial. Then stating things that were not the facts but opinion to the press, should have had him suspended from duty indefinitely. It would have where I live.
      I hope they get rid of this guy asap!! The community will be safer without him behind a badge.

      Report Post » 8jrts  
  • urrybr
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:56pm

    Finally!! This guy should’ve never been able to be in front of a camera.

    Report Post » urrybr  
    • GulfPeg
      Posted on January 23, 2011 at 10:40am

      This guy shouldn’t be sherriff at his age. There should be an age limit for Sherriffs – 70 tops? This guy is close to 75, from what I read.

      Report Post »  
  • JaneDo
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:55pm

    Liberals have been fighting to get minorities over here ever since they started with the irish and italians (hey, I’m part Irish, so I’m just saying……the truth). Those liberals enjoy using them as personal criminals. That’s what their purpose is — for criminals.

    Report Post »  
  • meddlehead
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:54pm

    This man’s reaction to the shooting was despicable at best. He should lose his job and there should be criminal investigations concerning his involvement in keeping the shooter on the streets.

    Report Post » meddlehead  
    • encinom
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:24pm

      I agree, Beck has done nothing but attempt to blame the victim, and claim victimhood for himself. He has no shame.

      We were talking about Beck right?

      Report Post »  
    • RobertCA
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:25pm

      This loon should loose he’s job & give his job to Joe .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • LVMerrily
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:36pm

      Maybe if more political hacks were recalled it would make them control their mouths by giving their brains a whirl before speaking.

      Report Post »  
    • wash1776
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:37pm

      TO ENCINOM:
      You are a real piece of work. No one but you has mentioned Beck here. Stick to the real issue and keep your hatred of Beck to yourself! The sheriff made inappropriate remarks about a situation that he did not have the facts about at the time. And he kept making them time after time. Just like you seem to do!

      Report Post »  
    • OperationCommandoEagle
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:45pm

      Yeah, Encinom, we don’t take kindly to differing opinions here. This is America.

      Report Post » OperationCommandoEagle  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:48pm

      There should be some sort of penalty for the guy beside losing his job. If his office would have suspended Loughner’s gun rights because of the threats Loughner made, Loughner would have only been killing people in is dream world and not for real. The guy should at least loose his pension in addition to his job if they can’t find a reason to incarcerate him for negligence. Note however they did learn their lesson when they arrested Fuller for making a death threat.

      Report Post »  
    • JROCCOD
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:06pm

      I totally agree. In my 32 year career, I have NEVER witnessed that level of unprofessionalision bya sworn officer.

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 7:37pm

      hmmm…another public school grad…try reading the post again.

      Report Post »  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 11:53pm

      No worries, MEDDLEHEAD, Eric Holder will be right on that….

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • RLTW
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 12:45am

      I’m sure I saw this character Dipstick in the miniseries the stand he worked for the walking man.
      Only Steven King could write such a nasty character.

      Report Post »  
  • Blackhawk1
    Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:54pm

    Sheriff Dipstick, the epitome of a liberal law enforcement officer. This guy reminds me of Barney Fife (No disrespect meant to Don Knotts).

    Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:58pm

      That would be so cool to see this guy get the boot. This is the most unprofessional thing I have ever witnessed from a law enforcement officer. Even now he just keeps running his mouth. He’s been completely political about a horrible tragedy where he is in charge of the investigation.

      http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the Ed Schultz’s lesson in civility video

      Report Post » cnsrvtvj  
    • cessna152
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:00pm

      Sheriff dipstick are Hollywood movies to blame as well? How about teen sex, anger and porn on MTV? Nah… that’s just crazy Christian talk. LOSER!

      Report Post » cessna152  
    • MHP
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:02pm

      Barney is a much much better cop.

      Dipstick is incompetent

      MHP  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:07pm

      I can only hope he doesn’t get to keep a bullet in his gun, or anywhere on his person at all.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • Miser
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:08pm

      Please don’t add a political label to any law enforcement officer. Personally, they may be liberal, conservative, libertarian or independent. When a law enforcement officer takes their oath, they give away their right to let their political beliefs affect their job performance. They are given the laws their community wants enforced, and they are to enforce them as prescribed. They can’t handle it? Go work somewhere else. Been there done that for 27 years. I am a conservative, and I am a law enforcement officer. I am not a conservative law enforcement officer.

       
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:16pm

      MISER, thank you for your service to our country. I pray everyday for the safety of our soldiers, law enforcement and firefighters. God bless your courage.

      Report Post »  
    • gopsnativeson
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:19pm

      “and vowed that his Pima County police force would not enforce the law” with regards to Arizona’s recent immigration law.

      Well,,,,,,, there you have it.

      We don’t need no stinking constitution, or legislature for that matter.

      Apparently, we just need more guys like this self absorbed ass to be enforcing our laws,,,, the laws that are correct & just.

      WOW

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:33pm

      I will summarise the recall of this guy in one phrase..

      “GREAT IDEA!!!”

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:37pm

      Snowleopard3200, are you really back? Reported imposter you and Tameable-Kate, and they pulled the obnoxious responses off, so I hope this will solve the problem.

      Report Post »  
    • OperationCommandoEagle
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:38pm

      Yeah, if you don’t believe what I believe, then you must be fired.

      OperationCommandoEagle  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:39pm

      @ MISER
      Well said and thank you for serving your country.

      Report Post »  
    • Rogue
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:44pm

      Anyone been asking the good Sheriff lately about where his file on Laughner is? I think it is rather important to know how competent this Sheriff is before any recall is voted on, and I’m guessing that file is pretty thick, or it would have been released already.

      Rogue  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:45pm

      @Grandmaof5

      Yes it is really me, hope the cats are fine and stay warm. Thanks for the help with the counterfeiter, I have the e-mail from the Blaze staff who dealt with them to confirm their actions. Hopefully it will be the end of the matter.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • wildcatmo
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:45pm

      Shouldn’t they change the name of the station?

      Report Post »  
    • M 4 Colt
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:01pm

      Just remember this is the face and leader of the left wing thugs that will show up at your door in a emergency to take your guns that you would use to protect your family, just like the other “well meaning law enforcement officers” did during Katrina.

      Yon know the left cant trust us right wingers to do the right thing during an emergency, they think we are just too stupid to think for ourselves and need to be “lead by the hand” by people that are smarter then we are, you know the ones, the all seeing and all knowing, God hating left.

      I for one dont trust ANY law enforcement official who would use an event like this to further his own political agenda. I just hope the people who are trying to unseat this lowlife are successful, but in a strong Democratic county like the one hes in i dont have a lot of hope but stranger things have happened. GO TEA PARTY!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Buck Bagaw
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:03pm

      *Sometimes cops make good politicians but very seldom does a politician make a good cop. Sheriff Dupnik is a prime example of the latter. He (and his department) screwed up royally in the handling of this madman. He admits the S.O.B. had it in for the Congresswoman for the past three years and yet they just let him run!! The next sheriff of Pima County should be the Walmart employee who refused to sell Loughner ammunition. That person at least has good instincts. Sheriff Dupnik, it’s way past time you went fishing.

      Report Post »  
    • revinco
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:06pm

      Give this jerk a job on mslsd!!! What a Doofis moron!

      Report Post » revinco  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:27pm

      Two words—GET HIM!

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:46pm

      Dipstick is not going anywhere. There is too much corruption in his office and Pima County that has this jerk dug in like a tick on a Alabama coon dog. Just like Harry Reid. Harry owns his position due to corruption! As do the majority of Liberal Marxist’s! There is only one way to deal with them!

      Report Post »  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 7:02pm

      This guy is a total Gomer.

      Report Post »  
    • OutOfTheAether
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 7:09pm

      @MISER Well said

      Report Post » OutOfTheAether  
    • avenger
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 7:34pm

      it never fails to amaze me how politically suicidal liberals are.dopenik is toast in the next election.I hope arizona goes bankrupt and screws him out of his pension….

      Report Post »  
    • SHASTADIANE1
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 7:59pm

      MISER…I agree totally. When you take an oath of office, it is to uphold the law, and not to confuse it with your own opinions. I think that the Sheriff has served out his usefullness. Now he is just a bitter old man. Time for him to retire.

      Report Post »  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 11:07pm

      Bye Bye!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 11:37pm

      @ GRAMMA, so did i for Kate and she reports that the imposter’s account was done away with. Don‘t mean they can’t start all over. Hope they track this infant’s IP and shuts him down for good. But Kate went through a horrible mess to get her name cleaned up. Blaze guys need to be more on the ball about this problem.

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • *************************
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 2:26am

      The “leftist hate speech” sheriff in Arizona clearly failed his job in Tucson. Passed time for him to move on (to the D.N.C. ["Propaganda Is Us"] where he belongs).

      “I wash born here, an’ I wash raished here, an’ dad gum it, I am gonna die here! An/ no side windin’, bush wackin’, horn swagglin’ ******* croaker is gonna rouin me bishen cutter!” -Gabby Johnson, Blazing Saddles

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkinBadges  
    • Jackers
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 7:42am

      How can this Sheriff slander the state of Arizona as being a “mecca for prejudice and bigotry” simply because the good citizens of this state want all of our laws to be enforced? This man should be enforcing our laws; not spewing hate speech…

      Report Post » Jackers  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 2:00pm

      Good! I hope this idiot gets kicked out, the sooner the better.

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
    • wilber93
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 5:35pm

      That’s an insult to Barney.

      I wouldn’t even give this guy a single bullet…more less a gun.

      Report Post » wilber93  
    • BoiseBaked
      Posted on January 22, 2011 at 8:39pm

      Where do I vote? Can I contribute to the PAC that organizing the recall?

      Report Post »  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on January 23, 2011 at 4:24am

      Blackhawk1, You mean a progressive version of Barney. Even more dangerous because he has more than one bullet unlike Barney. This man has a reputation of being an extremist on the far left. If he can’t do his job and enforce the law he should not be sheriff. Typical progressive that has no intentions of obeying the oath they are sworn to honor. At least Barney tried.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
    • tcaroway
      Posted on January 23, 2011 at 1:12pm

      @ Miser: First of all Sir ty for your service and willingness to put the needs of others in your community above your own, God bless you and all who serve along side you and keep you safe. However Sir please understand, WE are not the ones that made this a liberal or conservative thing, the Sheriff himself did that when he automatically began to make political ties to this story before completing his investigation. Instead of doing his job and having a news conference to report to the ppl what he had uncovered in his investigation he began making it into a political attack rally, blame the conservatives for everything when there was no evidence to support such a claim. Had he came to speak to the media in hte manner that all professional law enforcement officers do, and reported facts and updated the ppl on the investigation that would have been one thing. Instead he chose to use the airtime to make wild accusations that have no proof or validity at all on conservatives. He used the time to further his agenda rather than do his job. Its truly sad after all those years of service to end it all the way he did, because I do believe he will be recalled and justifiably so. HE is the one that allowed his liberalism to interfere, we did not bring conservatism into it until after he did this.

      Report Post »  
    • fu_republicans
      Posted on January 26, 2011 at 1:06pm

      I live in arizona, and all I do is work. I don’t have enough time to read a newspaper or watch a news channel, so most of the time, I have no idea what is going on in the world or no opinions on political views. Recently, during the congresswoman’s shooting, I had to go on a leave from work due to health issues and began watching rush limba whatever and the other crazy talk guy on fox and realized why everyone at work, who gets time off talk like they do. I am bombarded with this crap at work constantly. If the lower working class had a chance to learn what is going on in the world, and how the upper class is brain washing the country because they are afraid of paying taxes, there would be a revolution.

      Report Post »  

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