PHOENIX_For Joe Arpaio, it's as if he never left.
On Saturday, in his first public appearance since he announced his candidacy for a Senate seat in Arizona, Arpaio attended a gathering of Maricopa County Republicans.
"You're loved, Joe," said a woman, placing both hands on his cheeks.
"Am I? I thought I was loved _ thanks for confirming it," said Arpaio, who was sheriff of Maricopa County for 20 years before he was ousted in 2016.
Last week, Arpaio announced he would seek the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Jeff Flake. He enters a crowded GOP primary.
In August, Arpaio, 85, was pardoned by President Donald Trump after he was convicted of criminal contempt for violating a federal court order to stop racially profiling Latinos. As sheriff, he faced dozens of lawsuits for what residents described as discriminatory policing tactics.
Arpaio has pledged full allegiance to the president and his policies.
About Trump's recent comment that Haitians and Africans come from "shithole" countries, Arpaio said: "How can I comment on that? I wasn't there.
"Who knows what was really said. But the president did say he did not use those words, so I believe him."
