Allred, Ariz. sheriffs criticize Lake's comments about Lamb

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

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Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred, seen here during the Gila Valley Cinco de Mayo parade with his grandsons on May 4, 2024, joined eight other Arizona sheriffs in writing a letter condemning Kari Lake for calling Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb a “coward.” ” when it comes to election integrity. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Posted by: David Bell
June 7, 2024

SAFFORD — Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred joined eight other Arizona sheriffs in denouncing comments made by U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake about her Republican primary opponent.

In May, during an online forum, Lake called Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb a “total coward” for disagreeing with her on voter fraud in 2020 and 2022.

“Sheriffs have the ability to fight, and the Pinal County sheriff cowered. He is a total coward when it comes to election integrity,” Lake said at the forum hosted by the Association of Mature American Citizens.

_{Participants in the first-ever Sheriff Talk about the Border pose for a photo before the forum begins at the David M. Player Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. Pictured, from left, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, Gila County Sheriff's Office Task Force Commander Travis Baxley, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, Graham County Sheriff PJ Allred and Greenlee County Sheriff Tim Sumner .
–David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central}

Allred, as well as the sheriffs of Cochise, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai and Yuma counties; and candidates for sheriff in Pinal and Maricopa counties; sent Lake a letter denouncing his comments.

“Kari Lake's recent comment calling Sheriff Mark Lamb a “coward” is both unfounded and disrespectful. We want to make this clear: Neither Sheriff Mark Lamb, nor any law enforcement officer who wears a badge and uniform and risks his or her life every day to protect and serve our communities, is a coward. Arizona voters expect better from a political candidate, especially when running for U.S. Senate,” the letter read.

The letter was delivered to Lake during his appearance Thursday at Donald Trump's town hall in Phoenix.

Lake has unsuccessfully attempted to challenge the 2022 election results multiple times, with the U.S. Supreme Court refusing in April to hear his case over the state's use of electronic tabulation machines. She also filed a default motion in March, refusing to defend her statements in a defamation case brought against her by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.