A Chandler police officer announced his candidacy for Pinal County Sheriff on Monday.
Paul Babeu is a 38-year-old resident of the San Tan area of northern Pinal County. He will be running as a Republican.
Babeu would face incumbent Chris Vasquez, seeking his first four-year term. In 2005, Vasquez was appointed by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors to replace predecessor Roger Vanderpool, who left to head the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Vasquez was then elected in 2006 to serve a two-year term.
Babeu, 38, currently is president of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association, the union representing the city’s sworn officers and detectives. Also, he is a major in the Arizona Army National Guard and has served in Iraq.
