An Arizona sheriff who has been a vocal critic of the Obama Administration's border-security policies is running for Congress.
Pinal County (Ariz.) Sheriff Paul Babeu will seek the 4th Congressional District seat as a Republican candidate, he announced. The district cover most of Phoenix. If elected, Babeu said he would focus primarily on illegal immigration, unemployment, and federal debt.
"As a first responder, I'm trained to run toward dangers that others run away from," Sheriff Babeu said in a statement. "Right now, the biggest threats facing our country are from Washington … We have a system that punishes job creators and leaves many millions unemployed. We have an unsecured border that allows the drug cartels to operate freely in our country, and results in 400,000 illegal crossings into our state every year."
Sheriff Babeu has been among the law enforcement leaders calling for the resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder over the "Fast and Furious" scandal. Memos reported by CBS indicate Holder knew about the operation in July of 2010. He testified before Congress that he first learned about it in April of this year.
"The administration transferred 2,000 high powered weapons to the most dangerous criminals in North America, punishing whistle-blowers and rewarding those responsible for 'Fast and Furious,'" Babeu said in the statement. "Then they sued Arizona for doing the job they won't do."
Sheriff Babeu was named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriff's Association. He also serves as a retired major in the U.S. Army National Guard and served a tour of duty in Iraq.
At the age of 18, Babeu was elected to the North Adams (Mass.) City Council for a four-year term.
