Republican candidates for Maricopa County sheriff to debate

Crawford is an Air Force veteran and former Glendale police officer. Born and raised in New Mexico, he was also a high school volunteer firefighter and worked as a deputy with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. Like Sheridan, this isn't his first race — he lost a primary race for sheriff's office in 2020.

Milstead was named director of the Arizona Department of Safety in 2015 by former Gov. Doug Ducey. Milstead served in this position until his retirement in 2020. He also previously worked as the chief of the Mesa Police Department and an officer in the Phoenix Police Department.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is one of the largest sheriff's offices in the country, with more than 3,000 employees, including deputies, jail guards and civilians.

The sheriff's office patrols unincorporated areas of the county and municipalities without a designated police force. He also serves Superior Court orders and warrants, collects delinquent taxes, coordinates search and rescue missions and supervises the county's five jails.