Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R) -- two of conservatives' favorite anti-illegal immigration firebrands and potential 2010 candidates for statewide office in Arizona -- have teamed up to raise more than $100,000 as part of a holiday party being held Dec. 5.
A recent poll from Rasmussen Reports showed Arpaio leading all comers in the Arizona governor's race, while Hayworth is in a statistcal tie with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in a hypothetical primary match-up.
Both men have been coy about their intentions but any sort of electoral alliance between the two would strike fear into the hearts of centrist Republicans in the state.
Their holiday party, hosted by Arpaio at the home of GOP strategist and PR guru Jason Rose in Paradise Valley, Ariz., is raising money for Hayworth's Freedom in Truth Trust, dedicated to helping pay off the former congressman's legal fees. Hayworth lost his 2006 congressional race amidst questions about his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Ambramoff.
On his Web site, Hayworth said he still has "outstanding legal bills that total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars," due to the "false charge of corruption."
Rose told CQ Politics that Arpaio and Hayworth are "longtime friends and ideological soul mates on the issue of illegal immigration" and that Arpaio would support Hayworth should he decide to take on McCain.
Rose and his firm, Rose & Allyn, are already advising a Republican gubernatorial candidate, Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker, but also have a longstanding relationship with Arpaio.
Parker is technically still in the exploratory phase of the campaign, however, Rose said, "There's no scenario where we could run against [Arpaio] were we to run."
And it is hard not to "have a reaction to these polls," Rose said of the latest surveys indicating Arpaio would have the early edge in the governor's race. The sheriff benefits from a name ID far higher and/or popularity than potential GOP primary opponents Gov. Jan Brewer, Treasurer Dean Martin and Parker, among others.
Rose is not advising Hayworth but did note the conservative radio host had indicated he was unlikely to make any decision about a Senate run "by the end of the year." Hayworth's efforts to pay off his debt, however, could be a signal he is genuinely considering what would be an expensive Senate campaign.
CQ Politics rates the general election contest for Arizona Senate Safe Republican.
To follow all the 2010 Senate races, check out our election map.
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