PHOENIX — Editor's Note: This story was updated after the 5 p.m. Friday application deadline for the sheriff's appointment to reflect the eighth and final application, from Dan Saban.
Turns out It's tough to find a Democratic sheriff for Maricopa County.
Three of the leading applicants for interim sheriff were registered Republicans just three months ago, when Democratic Sheriff Paul Penzone announced he was quitting with a year left in his second four-year term.
Today, all three are registered Democrats, according to records provided to 12News by the Maricopa County Recorder's Office.
One of the applicants, Penzone's second-in-command Russ Skinner, changed his registration from Republican to Democratic on Oct. 3 — the day after Penzone revealed he was leaving.
The eighth and final applicant, three-time candidate for sheriff Dan Saban, changed his voter registration to Republican on Friday, the day applications were due. According to the Recorder's Office, Saban had been registered to vote with no party preference - an independent.
Saban was registered as both a Democrat and a Republican during his unsuccessful runs for sheriff.
Under state law, Penzone's successor must be from his party.
"It would be pretty terrible to appoint someone who has tried to game the system," said attorney James Barton, an election lawyer for Democratic candidates at Phoenix-based Barton Mendez Soto.
"I would hope that the folks in charge of the replacement would keep that in mind and wouldn't let that happen," Barton said.
No timeline for decision
The deadline to submit applications to the Maricopa County Board for the interim sheriff's position was 5 p.m. Friday.
There are eight applicants to serve as interim sheriff until the November election for a new sheriff, according to applications provided to 12News by the county.
The board will now do background checks, interview candidates and likely consult with Penzone. There's no timeline for naming the interim sheriff.
In the meantime, Skinner is running a 3,500-employee department that serves as the county's jailer and law enforcer in unincorporated areas.
The interim and elected sheriffs will inherit the same legacy as Penzone: a court-imposed monitor looking over their shoulders to ensure that Joe Arpaio-era abuses come to an end.
There are continuing struggles to hire staff for the county's jails and keep deadly drugs out of them.
Party hopping is not illegal
To be clear, the party hopping isn't illegal.
Under state law, applicants have to be members of the same political party as the sheriff they're replacing.
Penzone was a registered Democrat but largely apolitical. Penzone, a former Phoenix police officer, was the first elected Democratic sheriff in at least 30 years when he won his first term in 2016.
Here's something else that isn't illegal: A party switcher could re-register as a Republican after being appointed sheriff and then run for the office.
"Gosh, do we need a law to prevent every single type of shenanigans?" said an exasperated Barton.
It's not clear yet whether any of the applicants harbor a desire to campaign for the elected position.
The Republican-controlled County Board might want a caretaker who would step aside after the election.
Credentials for 8 applicants
Here are the eight applicants and the documents they provided to the County Board:
Chief Deputy Russ Skinner is a 34-year veteran of MCSO. He had been a registered Republican for 36 years. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Former MCSO Deputy Chief Kenneth Booker oversaw several divisions, plus Penzone's plan to deal with the court monitor. Booker had been a registered Republican for 23 years. He changed parties last November. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Jeffrey Kirkham is a former police chief in Apache Junction and Nogales. He changed his registration to Democratic this month after 36 years as a registered Republican. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Patrick Valenzuela Sr. is a Glendale police lieutenant who has served with the department for 28 years. He's a registered Democrat who hasn't switched parties. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Scott Meyer is an MCSO sergeant and former detention officer. No registration information was available. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Grant Harrison is a project management assistant in the City of Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions. No registration information was available. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Brandon Otis has worked as corrections officer for seven years with the Arizona Department of Corrections. No registration information was available. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
Dan Saban is a former Buckeye police chief who ran for sheriff in 2004, 2008, and 2016, all during the reign of Joe Arpaio. Click here for his resume and cover letter.
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