Who Is Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos?
- Ballot Blog Staff Writer
- Feb 14
- 3 min read
A Political Comeback, Razor - Thin Wins, and a High Profile Investigation
In Southern Arizona, the sheriff of Pima County holds one of the most visible law-enforcement positions in the state. The office oversees policing across a county of more than one million residents, anchored by Tucson and shaped by border policy, public safety debates, and shifting political coalitions. Few modern sheriffs in the region have experienced as many political turns as Chris Nanos.
From Career Officer to Appointed Sheriff
Chris Nanos is a longtime law-enforcement professional who rose through the ranks before being appointed sheriff in July 2015, following the retirement of longtime Sheriff Clarence Dupnik. The appointment placed him in charge of a department with deep institutional history and significant public visibility.
But in Arizona, appointed sheriffs must ultimately face voters.
Electoral Defeat and a Comeback
In 2016, Nanos ran for a full term and was defeated in the general election, marking a significant political setback. Countywide law-enforcement races in Arizona are partisan, and Pima County’s political makeup plays a meaningful role in those contests.
Yet Nanos returned to the ballot in 2020, campaigning on experience and departmental continuity. He won election that year and was sworn back into office in January 2021 a rare comeback in county-level law enforcement politics.
A Democratic-Leaning County But Competitive on Law and Order
Pima County consistently leans Democratic in presidential and statewide races, driven largely by Tucson and the University of Arizona. Democratic candidates have carried the county in recent national elections by comfortable margins.
However, the sheriff’s office has proven more competitive than party registration alone might suggest. Public safety, border enforcement, department management, and criminal justice policy often cut across partisan lines. Even in a blue-leaning county, the sheriff’s race remains one of the most closely watched local contests. That dynamic became unmistakable in 2024.
The 2024 Razor-Thin Re-Election
In 2024, Nanos faced Republican challenger Heather Lappin in one of the tightest sheriff’s races in recent Pima County history. The vote margin narrowed to well under one percent, triggering an automatic recount under Arizona law.
After the recount, Nanos prevailed by fewer than 500 votes.
The result underscored a divided electorate. Supporters argued voters chose continuity and experience. Critics pointed to internal department concerns and campaign controversy — including the decision to place his opponent, who worked within the county jail system, on administrative leave late in the race.
The narrow win reinforced a central reality: even in a Democratic-leaning county, the sheriff’s office remains politically competitive.
The Nancy Guthrie Investigation
National attention intensified in February 2026 following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old Tucson-area resident whose case drew widespread media coverage due to her family’s public profile.
Sheriff Nanos publicly stated in interviews that the timeline for locating Guthrie could range “from hours to years,” describing the search as emotionally and physically exhausting for investigators.
The case quickly involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, elevating its profile and introducing federal-county coordination into the spotlight. Public reporting and statements from law enforcement officials indicated disagreements over investigative procedures and evidence processing, though Nanos denied obstructing federal involvement and maintained that his department was cooperating fully.
As of the latest public updates, no suspect has been publicly identified, and the case remains under active investigation.
The matter has become one of the most high-profile tests of Nanos’ leadership during his current term.
A Political Career Marked by Swings
Chris Nanos’ public career follows an unusual arc:
Appointed sheriff in 2015
Defeated in 2016
Elected in 2020
Re-elected in 2024 after a recount
Few county sheriffs experience both electoral defeat and political resurgence — let alone a razor-thin re-election after a comeback.
In a Democratic-leaning county where law-and-order issues remain politically potent, Nanos governs in an environment where margins matter and scrutiny is constant.
What Defines His Tenure?
Supporters describe Nanos as steady, experienced, and deeply familiar with the department. Critics question aspects of management style and handling of controversy.
As sheriff of Pima County, he operates at the intersection of border enforcement debates, criminal justice reform discussions, and day-to-day public safety demands.
With another term underway and a nationally watched investigation still unfolding, Chris Nanos remains both a law-enforcement executive and a political figure one whose career reflects the volatility of modern local governance.
Sources
Arizona Secretary of State – Official Election Results (2016, 2020, 2024)
Pima County Elections Department – Certified Countywide Results
Pima County Sheriff’s Department public statements and press briefings (February 2026)
Federal Bureau of Investigation – Phoenix Field Office public releases
Regional and national media reporting on the Nancy Guthrie disappearance