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Paul Babeu

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Paul Babeu
Babeu in December 2011.
Sheriff of Pinal County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2009
Preceded byChris Vasquez
Personal details
Born (1969-02-03) February 3, 1969 (age 55)
North Adams, Massachusetts
Political partyRepublican
OccupationLaw enforcement officer

Paul Raymond Babeu (pronunciation: BAB-you[1]) (born February 3, 1969) is the elected Sheriff of Pinal County in the U.S. state of Arizona. First voted into office in 2008 by defeating the Democratic incumbent, Babeu became the first Republican Sheriff elected in the history of Pinal County.[2] He has received national media attention for speaking out against illegal immigration,[3] the unsecured U.S. border with Mexico, and Operation Fast and Furious gun smuggling facilitated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.[4]

On October 23, 2011, Babeu announced the formation of an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Congress[5]. He later entered the race for the US House of Representatives, but ultimately dropped out in May 2012 (while under state and federal investigations), citing his intention to run for re-election as Pinal County Sheriff instead.[6]

Early Life

Babeu was born on February 3, 1969, in North Adams, Massachusetts, to Raymond and Helen Babeu. Raymond Babeu was a longtime employee of the area's electric utility who was also active in local politics. Paul Babeu was 10th of 11 children born into the family.[1] Babeu has spoken of being molested for several years as a child by a Catholic priest.[7]

Babeu holds an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy. He also holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and Political Science from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a summa cum laude Master of Public Administration from American International College.[8]

Career

Massachusetts politics

At age 17, while still in high school, Babeu campaigned against a proposed raise for North Adams, Massachusetts City Council members. The council reduced the pay hike and Babeu, running as an independent, turned his effort into a successful campaign and was elected to City Council at the age of 18.[1] In 1992, Babeu was elected to a four year term as a Berkshire County, Massachusetts Commissioner.[9]

At the end of this term in 1996, Babeu ran for a seat in the Massachusetts Senate based in Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin. He won the Republican nomination against Peter Abair. He lost in the general election to Democrat Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. 55%-42%.[10][11]

In 1997, he ran for Mayor of North Adams against incumbent Democrat John Barrett III. In the open primary, Babeu ranked first but failed to reach the 50% threshold. He lead Barrett by just 145 votes.[12] In the general election, Barrett won re-election and defeated Babeu 53%-47%,[1] a difference of just 353 votes, in an election with an unusually high turnout rate of 75% among registered voters. In 2001, Babeu ran for a rematch against Barrett, but lost again.[1][9]

DeSisto School Executive

Babeu served as headmaster and later as executive director of DeSisto School in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, from 1999-2001[failed verification]. The school closed in 2004, following the death of its founder Michael DeSisto.[13] On February 26, 2012, a former student of the school, Holli Nielsen, accused Babeu of tolerating physical abuse during his time as headmaster. Babeu's older sister, Lucy Babeu, accused him of being in a relationship with a student, albeit of legal age of consent, who she alleged lived with him. Paul Babeu stated that he had never been the target of an investigation or lawsuit and "was recognized for helping restore financial stability of the school".[14]

National Guard

Babeu joined the Massachusetts National Guard as a 21-year-old. He started his service as a Private/E-2 and rose through the ranks to Major in the Arizona Army National Guard. During his tenure he served a tour in Iraq and spent 17 months deployed in Arizona as a Commander with Operation Jump Start (Southwest Border Mission). From 2006 to 2007, Babeu spent 17 months as commander of Task Force Yuma supervising 700 soldiers, where they supported the United States Border Patrol to achieve operational control and reduce illegal immigration. Babeu retired in September 2010 after 20 years of service.[9]

Chandler Patrolman

In 2002, he then moved to Arizona to pursue a law enforcement career as a Police Officer for the city of Chandler, Arizona. He graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy as the #1 overall police recruit and voted by his fellow officers as the class exemplary officer.[8]

Babeu was awarded two Life Saving Medals in the performance of his duties as a Patrolman in Chandler. Babeu served as the Police Association President for the Chandler Police Department and on the board of directors for the Arizona Police Association.[8]

Pinal County Sheriff

Babeu campaigned for the office of Pinal County Sheriff in 2008 and defeated Democratic incumbent Chris Vasquez, 54% to 46%.[15] He was the first Republican Sheriff elected in the history of Pinal County (founded in 1875).[16]

In 2009, Babeu reorganized the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, replacing the entire command leadership. He has since implemented strict employee standards, reduced emergency response times by 40%, and has sought and been awarded nearly $7 million in grants. He also honored a campaign promise to remove speed cameras from the county.[17]

Babeu is President of the Arizona Sheriffs' Association[18] and was named the National Sheriff of the Year in 2011 by the National Sheriffs' Association.[19] Babeu is Arizona's youngest Sheriff and leads the third largest Sheriff's Office in Arizona with 700 full-time employees.[8]

Babeu has been an outspoken critic of the Federal government on the issue of illegal immigration. According to Babeu's website, “Pinal County is the number one pass through county in all of America for drug and human smuggling.”[20] He reports that “Pinal County contains an estimated 75-100 drug cartel cells and listening posts/observation posts, used to facilitate the illegal transportation of people and narcotics into the United States.”[20] Babeu also helped U.S. Senator John McCain and U.S. Senator Jon Kyl draft their “10-Point Border Security Plan.”[21]

In late 2010, Babeu was asked by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to investigate allegations of wrongdoing in his own department. This 6 month long detailed search led to the termination of Arpaio's top two deputies.[22]

2012 congressional election

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2012

On October 23, 2011, Babeu announced the formation of an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Congress in what is expected to be the newly redrawn Arizona's 4th congressional district.[23] He serves on numerous committees with the National Sheriffs' Association, is an honorary board member for the National Organization for Victim Assistance, an advisory board member for HonorVet.org, and is involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 97, and Military Order of the World Wars.

In February 2012, Babeu was accused of threats of deportation by a former boyfriend.[24] Although a spokesman for Babeu denied the allegations and described them as "sensationalist"[sic], Babeu fell under state and federal investigations related to the affair. The spokesman confirmed that Babeu would continue to run for U.S. Congress [25]; Babeu ultimately withdrew from that race in May 2012. Babeu came out as gay on February 18, 2012, but claimed his sexual orientation was the only factual statement from the allegations.[26] He also verified that images and phone messages, including nude and suggestive images, were authentic, but personal.[27] Babeu resigned as Arizona co-chairman for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign following the revelations.[28] U.S. Senator John McCain voiced his continued support for Babeu, calling the Sheriff his friend,[29] while other political leaders (Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, state government officials, Republican operatives) distanced themselves from Babeu during the fallout.[30]

Babeu dropped his congressional bid on May 11, 2012, saying he'd rather seek re-election as county sheriff.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Steller, Tim; McCombs, Brady (May 23, 2010). "Babeu is new face of Arizona sheriffs". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  2. ^ Edythe Jensen (November 20, 2008). "Sheriff-elect Babeu won't finish year with Chandler police". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  3. ^ Paul Babeu (May 26, 2011). "Babeu: Obama has failed to protect border". KVOA.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  4. ^ "Fast and Furious: Should Eric Holder Resign?". FoxNews.com. October 9, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  5. ^ Paul Babeu (October 23, 2011). "Will you support me for Congress?". sheriffpaul.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  6. ^ http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/20120511paul-babeu-dropping-out-gop-congressional-race
  7. ^ "Babeu says he was victim of priest abuse". KTAR.com. March 3, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d PCSO (November 24, 2011). "About Sheriff Paul Babeu". PCSO. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  9. ^ a b c "Border Boletín: Who is Paul Babeu?". azstarnet.com. May 23, 2010. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  10. ^ "MA State Senate - Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire & Franklin Race". Our Campaigns. November 5, 1996. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  11. ^ "Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr". wikipedia.org. November 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  12. ^ "It's official: Barrett and Babeu will square off again in race for mayor of North Adams". iberkshires.com. August 8, 2001. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  13. ^ "Babeu kicks off his campaign with event at the Holiday Inn". iberkshires.com. September 19, 2001. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  14. ^ Documents: Babeu ran private boarding school with history of physical abuse
  15. ^ pinalcountyaz.gov (November 12, 2008). "Pinal County 2008 General Election Results". pinalcountyaz.gov. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  16. ^ pinalcountyaz.gov (2009). "2009-2010 Pinal County Budget Book". pinalcountyaz.gov. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  17. ^ PCSO (January 23, 2011). "About PCSO - Sheriff". PCSO. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  18. ^ "Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu Elected to Second Term as President of Arizona Sheriff's Association". PhoenixNewTimes.com. January 20, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  19. ^ National Sheriffs' Association (June 19, 2011). "Sheriff of the Year". sheriffs.org. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  20. ^ a b SheriffPaul.com (November 24, 2011). "Meet Paul". sheriffpaul.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  21. ^ mccain.senate.gov (April 20, 2010). "SENATORS McCAIN AND KYL ANNOUNCE BORDER SECURITY PLAN". mccain.senate.gov. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  22. ^ JJ Hensley (April 14, 2011). "Joe Arpaio aide investigation finished by Babeu". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  23. ^ azredistricting.org (November 24, 2011). "Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission". azredistricting.org. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  24. ^ Paul Babeu's Mexican Ex-Lover Says Sheriff's Attorney Threatened Him With Deportation (Phoenix New Times)
  25. ^ Catanese, David (February 18, 2012). "Babeu bombshell: Gay relationship & deportation threats, report says". The Politico. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  26. ^ Martin, Nick R. (February 18, 2012). "Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu Angrily Denies Ex-Boyfriend's Accusations". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  27. ^ Alonzo, Monica (February 18, 2012). "Paul Babeu, the Suddenly Openly Gay Pinal County Sheriff, Vows to Continue Congressional Run, Serve Out Remaining Term as Sheriff -- Despite Mexican Ex-Lover's Insistence That Sheriff's Camp Threatened Him With Deportation". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  28. ^ "Babeu steps down as Romney Arizona co-chairman". Azcentral.com. February 18, 2012.
  29. ^ "Will recent allegations damage Babeu's political future?". KTVK. February 19, 2012.
  30. ^ http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/20120511paul-babeu-dropping-out-gop-congressional-race
  31. ^ Sheriff Babeu Abandons Race for Arizona Congressional Seat. Fox News Latino. 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
Civic offices
Preceded by
Chris Vasquez
 Sheriff of Pinal County
2009–present 		Incumbent

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