If you thought the national political stage was the only place for high-stakes drama this year, you clearly weren't looking at Pima County. Honestly, local elections are usually a bit predictable. You get the yard signs, the stump speeches, and the standard promises about "keeping us safe." But the pima county sheriff election 2024? That was something else entirely. It was a race that literally came down to a few hundred votes and included a plot twist where the incumbent sheriff basically benched his opponent in the middle of the game.
What Actually Happened with the Pima County Sheriff Election 2024
Let’s talk numbers first because they are wild. After all the dust settled and the recount was finalized in December, Chris Nanos, the Democratic incumbent, held onto his seat by exactly 481 votes. That is basically a rounding error when you consider over 488,000 people cast a ballot.
Recounts happen when things are tight, but this was a razor-thin margin. According to the Pima County Superior Court, Nanos ended with 243,891 votes while his Republican challenger, Heather Lappin, pulled in 243,410.
Most people don't realize how close we came to a total flip in leadership. For a while there, it was anyone’s guess. Lappin, who is a Lieutenant within the department she was trying to lead, wasn't just some random outsider. She’s a 19-year veteran of the force. This wasn't just a political battle; it was an internal family feud played out on the public stage.
The Controversy Nobody Saw Coming
Basically, the most "did that really happen?" moment occurred in October. Just weeks before Election Day, while early voting was already underway, Sheriff Nanos placed Heather Lappin on administrative leave.
Why?
The official line from the department was that there were allegations of "collusion" involving an inmate and a journalist to facilitate payment for a news story. Nanos also benched Sergeant Aaron Cross, a vocal union leader who had been supporting Lappin.
It felt like a movie script.
Lappin argued it was a blatant attempt to tarnish her reputation and stop her from campaigning. Because she was on leave, she was essentially confined to her home during business hours. Imagine trying to win a massive county election when you’re technically not supposed to leave your house while the sun is up. The Pima County Board of Supervisors, specifically Matt Heinz, even called for an investigation into whether Nanos’ actions were a misuse of power. It’s the kind of stuff that makes voters' heads spin.
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A Department Divided
You've got to understand the vibe inside the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) right now. It's not exactly "kinda" tense—it's very tense.
Nanos has been in the game for roughly 40 years. He’s worked every corner of the department. On the other hand, Lappin represented a younger generation of leadership focused on "community policing" and "restoring trust."
When a race is this close, it tells you the community is split right down the middle. Half the county wants the experienced hand of Nanos, who points to his implementation of body cameras and the creation of the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team as proof of progress. The other half seems to be screaming for a change in culture.
Lappin herself said it best after the recount: "It's clear that nearly half of Pima County voters desire a change."
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The Issues That Actually Mattered
Beyond the drama, there were some real, heavy problems being debated.
- The Jail: This is a big one. The Pima County Jail is, to put it bluntly, struggling. Nanos has been vocal about the fact that it needs serious maintenance. He’s also advocated for bail reform, noting that about half the population in the jail is on psychotropic meds and two-thirds suffer from substance abuse. He wants medical facilities for these folks, not just bars.
- Staffing: Everyone is feeling the pinch. The department is authorized for about 1,479 employees, but they are operating way below the recommended 2.4 deputies per thousand residents. We’re at about 1.2. That means longer response times and more burnt-out deputies.
- Border Issues: Being in Southern Arizona, the border is always the elephant in the room. Nanos has had to balance local law enforcement duties with the shifting federal policies, especially as we head into a new presidential administration that has promised mass deportations.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Recount
A lot of folks think recounts are about finding "lost" boxes of ballots in a basement. It’s actually much more boring and technical than that.
During the pima county sheriff election 2024 recount, the change in numbers came down to "adjudication." Basically, if a voter circled a name instead of filling in the bubble, or if they used the wrong pen, a bipartisan board (one Republican, one Democrat) has to look at that specific ballot and decide what the voter intended.
In the end, Nanos actually gained 31 votes in the recount, and Lappin gained 45. The margin shifted by just a few votes, but the winner stayed the same. It proves the system is actually pretty robust, even if it takes a while to get the final answer.
Why This Election Still Matters in 2026
Even though the election is over and Chris Nanos is serving his term, the ripples are still there. The Arizona Attorney General’s office was asked to look into the whole "administrative leave" controversy. Whether anything comes of that or not, it has left a mark on how the public views the department.
Also, Nanos is now leading a department where nearly half of his staff—and half of his constituents—voted for his subordinate. That’s a tough environment to manage. He’s promised to focus on "implementing new ideas" and "healing divisions," but that’s easier said than done when the election was a literal street fight.
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Actionable Takeaways for Pima County Residents
If you live in Tucson or the surrounding areas, the pima county sheriff election 2024 shouldn't just be a memory. Here is what you should actually do to stay involved:
- Watch the Citizens Advisory Review Board: Nanos created this board to allow citizens to review internal affairs and department policy. If you care about transparency, this is where you look.
- Monitor the Jail Reform Discussions: The Board of Supervisors is constantly debating the budget for the jail. Your taxes pay for it, and the safety of that facility affects the whole community.
- Stay Updated on Staffing: If you notice response times are slow in your neighborhood, it’s likely due to the staffing shortages mentioned during the campaign. Check the department’s monthly reports to see if those "1.2 deputies per thousand" numbers are actually improving.
The 2024 race was a wake-up call. It showed that local power is often won in the margins and that the people wearing the badges are just as susceptible to political friction as anyone else. Whether you’re a Nanos fan or a Lappin supporter, the reality is that the department has four years to prove it can move past the drama of November and actually get to work.
Keep an eye on the Board of Supervisors meetings. That is where the money for these "new ideas" actually comes from. If the department doesn't see a significant shift in staffing or jail conditions by the next cycle, expect another 481-vote nail-biter.