A bi-partisan group of current Arizona Sheriffs and candidates for Sheriff across Arizona are condemning Senatorial candidate Kari Lake for her claim that her Republican Primary opponent Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is a “coward.”
Lake made the remark in an online political forum hosted by the Arizona chapter of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) for the two Republican Primary contenders for U.S. Senate.
“Kari Lake’s recent comment calling Sheriff Mark Lamb a “coward” is both unfounded and disrespectful. We want to make it clear: neither Sheriff Mark Lamb nor any law enforcement officer who wears a badge and uniform, putting their life on the line every day to protect and serve our communities, is a coward. Arizona voters expect better from a political candidate, especially when they are running for the U.S. Senate.”
The following Arizona Sheriffs and candidates signed the statement: Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner, Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot, Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, La Paz County Sheriff William Ponce, Graham County Sheriff P.J. Allred, Mohave County Sheriff Doug Schuster, Gila County Sheriff Adam Shepard, and Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse.
For his part, Sheriff Lamb has responded by accusing Lake of slapping the “face of every man and woman who wears a badge and uniform and upholds our laws.”
Lamb says Lake’s “coward” comment “shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how our justice system works.”
“Those of us in law enforcement deal with bullies like her and much worse every day. No one gets special treatment. Not even Kari Lake. I get it. Kari Lake is upset that she lost her election. It’s time she takes some personal responsibility for losing an election she was supposed to win.” said Lamb.
“While I personally didn’t allow her comment to upset me, as I’ve been called worse, it’s obvious that Kari Lake thinks our justice system and laws exist to benefit her, without regard to evidence or facts,” said Lamb. “I took an oath of office to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and uphold law and justice. I have to deal with facts, not opinions or feelings.”
According to Lamb, he has “received numerous calls and texts from supporters stating that they were appalled by Kari Lake’s comment that I am a “coward” for not doing her bidding regarding the 2022 election results.”