Napier Vs. Nanos: Pima County Sheriff 2020 Election Results

TUCSON, AZ — Democrat and former sheriff Chris Nanos is leading Republican incumbent Sheriff Mark Napier in a close race for Pima County Sheriff.

Napier, a Republican, has served as sheriff since January 2017 and has been in law enforcement since 1981. He joined the Tucson Police Department in 1987 and retired as captain before running for the sheriff's office.

Nanos, a Democrat, was appointed by the Board of Supervisors as the 33rd Sheriff of Pima County in 2015. He has served in law enforcement since 1976 and worked his way through the Pima County sheriff's office.

Nanos and Napier previously faced each other in the election four years ago, with Napier claiming victory by about 12 points.

These are the results as of 8 a.m. Friday:

Mark Napier: 243,445

Chris Nanos: 238,066

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Those results are according to the Pima County Recorder's Office.

Napier has said he thinks drugs flowing across the U.S.-Mexico border into the county is one of the area's most pressing issues. He boasts lower crime rates since he took office and has developed a racial profiling policy for the department. He was also elected Vice President of Arizona Sheriffs during his tenure.

"Our ACT Reform Plan is a comprehensive effort at addressing both racial justice and police reform," he told Patch in a profile. "It is receiving national attention, having been featured in two national WebEx presentations and will be featured in a national law enforcement magazine in November."

Nanos told the Arizona Daily Star that he wants to reform the sheriff's department if he wins the election, starting with requiring body cameras for all deputies. He also has plans to reduce the jail population with the use of ankle monitors, similar to one implemented by the Tucson Police Department.

“Such a program could result in savings of several thousands of dollars in associated jail and court costs, by effectively placing those who suffer from drug abuse and/or mental illness with the right social service providers,” Nanos told the outlet.

Napier has threatened to sue Nanos for defaming him and running a Facebook page called "No More Napier" that the current sheriff has said spreads lies about him.

Nanos, in turn, dismissed the threats as “political theatrics.”

Ballot counting has already started but the first round of results won't be released until 8 p.m., one hour after the polls closed, per Arizona law.

Election officials have warned voters that due to an influx of early voting and a rule on the books that gives all voters five business days to fix issues with their ballot signatures, the final election tally won't be available until Nov. 10. If they're close, Arizona races might not be called on Election Night.

The race has not yet been called and vote counting is still underway.