Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is facing a mounting political and professional crisis as a formal recall effort gains momentum, fueled by the unsolved kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie and newly surfaced reports regarding the Sheriff’s past disciplinary record.
The recall, officially launched on March 12, comes as the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie—mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie—enters its seventh week with no suspects in custody. While the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) maintains the investigation is active, critics argue that “failed leadership” has allowed crime to destabilize the region.
The Guthrie Investigation: A Seven-Week Stalemate
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson home on Feb. 1, 2024. Surveillance footage from Jan. 31 allegedly shows a masked individual at her residence, and ransom notes were subsequently sent to local media outlets. Despite a combined $1.1 million reward offered by the FBI and the Guthrie family, the trail has gone cold.
Sheriff Nanos has faced sharp criticism for his public handling of the case. In a March 12 interview with NBC News, Nanos admitted investigators are unsure if Guthrie was specifically targeted, warning residents, “It’d be silly to tell people, ‘Don’t worry about it… You could be [a target].’”
The remark sparked concern among local residents and provided fuel for political opponents. Daniel Butierez, a Republican congressional candidate and a leader in the recall signature drive, characterized the Guthrie case as “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” citing a broader rise in regional crime.
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Discrepancies in Professional History
Compounding the pressure on the Sheriff’s office is a recent investigative report by The Arizona Republic, which uncovered discrepancies in Nanos’ professional resume.
- The Findings: While Nanos’ public record indicated he served with the El Paso Police Department until 1984, records show he actually resigned in 1982.
- The Context: The report alleges Nanos stepped down to avoid termination following internal investigations into insubordination and excessive force.
- The Response: The PCSD dismissed the two-year gap as an “administrative and unintentional” error, confirming his service ended in 1982.
Legal and Political Headwinds
The recall effort is not the only legal challenge facing the Sheriff. Nanos is currently named in a $1.35 million lawsuit filed by Christopher Marx, a former inmate at the Pima County Jail. Marx alleges the department failed to implement COVID-19 safety protocols, knowingly placing his life at risk during his incarceration.
Nanos, an elected Democrat, has remained stoic regarding the attempt to remove him from office. “We’re aware of the recall, and it’s the right of the people,” Nanos said in a statement. “We’ll always honor the will of the people.”
Supporters of the Sheriff have dismissed the movement as a partisan maneuver. One neighbor, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the effort as “completely political,” suggesting that Republican challengers are capitalizing on a high-profile tragedy to unseat Democratic leadership.
Ongoing Search Efforts
As the political battle intensifies, the Guthrie family continues their plea for information. Savannah Guthrie has utilized social media to maintain public awareness, while the family has donated $500,000 to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to assist other families in similar crises.
The FBI continues to urge anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie to contact local authorities or submit a tip through their official portal.
