Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio May Be Bound for Senate Race

Controversial Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio may be considering a run in 2012 for the Grand Canyon State's open Senate seat. Republican Senator Jon Kyl announced his retirement last week.

"If I announce to run, I would have to resign and they would appoint a sheriff so that has been the history why I refuse to run for governor or other positions but maybe this time I may have a different attitude and philosophy," Arpaio said in an interview with FOX News.

Arpaio, the 78 year-old Maricopa County sheriff, may best be known for his aggressive approach toward crime and immigration, calling himself "America's Toughest Sheriff."

The Arizona Sheriff has also attracted attention for building tent cities for inmates, for instituting chain gangs and for making prisoners wear pink underwear.

Arpaio defends the tactics saying, " I don't report to any politician or bureaucrat. I report to four million people. They are my concern."

Several other prominent state Republicans are believed to be considering bids for Arizona's open seat, including U.S. Reps. Jeff Flake and Ben Quayle, former U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth and state Rep. Trent Franks.