Sheriff Lamb Charts a Bold Path Forward

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is preparing to return to the private sector after an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. His defeat came in the Republican primary against Kari Lake, who received key support from former President Donald Trump.

The unofficial results showed Lake winning with approximately 55% of the vote, totaling 409,333, compared to Lamb’s 40% with 292,886 votes. Despite his strong performance in Pinal County, Lamb struggled in larger counties like Maricopa and Pima, where Lake dominated.

Reflecting on his political career, Lamb acknowledged, “A Trump endorsement is really hard to overcome.” His term as sheriff will conclude on December 31, and he indicated a desire to remain involved in law enforcement as a consultant, focusing on immigration and border security, which were central themes in his campaign.

Lamb stated, “We will look at ways to be a voice for the border,” emphasizing his ongoing commitment to these issues. Under his leadership, the sheriff’s office has reportedly seen a year-over-year reduction in crime over the past seven years, a point he proudly highlighted.

Throughout his time in office, Lamb introduced several initiatives, including federal grants to enhance border security and programs to support inmates and at-risk youth. Notably, he obtained funding for a new county-owned helicopter, replacing a previously used U.S. government asset, and increased the deputy count by 20 positions.

Additionally, Lamb has enhanced the sheriff’s office’s presence on social media, boasting over one million followers on Facebook and nearly a million on YouTube, largely due to the popular series “Fridays with Frank,” hosted by Deputy Frank Sloup.

As he prepares to exit his role, Lamb expressed hope for the future of the sheriff’s office and indicated support for Lt. Ross Teeple, who is running for his position. “I think in eight years we’ve accomplished a tremendous amount,” he reflected.