Immigration and illegal entry into the U.S. has been one of the central themes of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign.
But over the past two decades, it’s hard to argue there has been a bigger advocate for securing the nation’s borders than Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The two met Tuesday in Marshalltown, Iowa, which has one of the state’s largest immigrant populations.
At that rally, Arpaio endorsed Trump for president:
“Donald Trump is a leader. He produces results and is ready to get tough in order to protect American jobs and families. I have fought on the front lines to prevent illegal immigration. I know Donald Trump will stand with me and countless Americans to secure our border. I am proud to support him as the best candidate for President of the United States of America.”
Trump and Arpaio are no strangers. Trump has visited Arizona twice, in Phoenix and Mesa, since announcing his candidacy last June; Arpaio attended both rallies. At Tuesday’s rally in Iowa, Trump said he appreciated the sheriff’s endorsement:
“I have great respect for Sheriff Arpaio. We must restore law and order on the border and respect the men and women of our police forces. I thank him for his support of my policies and candidacy for President.”
Arpaio is no stranger to presidential politics. In 2012, after being heavily courted by no less than three campaigns, he endorsed then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry, also during a stop in Iowa. In 2008, he endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and served as honorary chair of Romney’s Arizona state campaign.
