Guard in tow, County Attorney Thomas addresses College Republicans crowd

Thomas trumps conviction record, work fighting illegal immigration

 by Andre Radzischewski
 published on Friday, April 11, 2008

Jeffrey Lowman / THE STATE PRESS

MAN OF THE LAW: County Attorney Andrew Thomas speaks to ASU Republicans at Discovery Hall on Thursday about issues concerning Arizona’s political future.

The crowd was anything but hostile, but Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas brought a security guard with him when he spoke to the College Republicans in Discovery Hall Thursday night.

His wife insisted on the precaution after police had to escort him out of a NAU auditorium April 2, Thomas said. The crowd there interrupted a panel discussion and called Thomas a "racist," according to an article in the Arizona Daily Sun.

"There is an intolerance on the left that professors and administrators tolerate, condone and even promote," Thomas said about the incident.

But the two dozen students who attended the event at ASU applauded after Thomas finished a talk focusing on illegal immigration, Thomas's biography and his work as county attorney.

Thomas was elected county attorney in 2004, in part because of his promise to fight illegal immigration on the county level. Now, he said, anecdotal evidence shows that undocumented migrants are leaving Maricopa County.

But Thomas, whose wife is Mexican-American, said, that while he is enforcing the law, he holds no personal grudge against illegal immigrants — who he said are just looking for a better life.

"The rest of the world is a very messed up place with corrupt governments," Thomas said.

And, while he said he has a great relationship with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Thomas heavily criticized what he sees as Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano's lack of leadership on immigration.

Thomas said his "simple and old-fashioned view" is that a government's primary responsibility is to provide law and order.

Thomas's own tough stance on violent criminals — he won't offer plea bargains to any of them — and sex offenders helped bring the County Attorney's Office's conviction rate to 93 percent for felony cases, Thomas said.

"It's a thriving industry, putting criminals behind bars," he said.

But Napolitano, the Arizona Department of Corrections and Democrats in the legislature are working against him on this issue, Thomas said.

"We're sending people to prison over the objection of our governor, our wonderful Democratic governor," Thomas said.

Paul Gambill, the president of the College Republicans, said he was particularly impressed with Thomas's 93 percent conviction rate.

"That's pretty darn good," Gambill said.

Biology junior and College Republican Lauren Arnieri, a Mexican-American, said she liked Thomas's humility and his compassion for illegal immigrants.

"He doesn't seem to be on the high horse about anything," Arnieri said.

Arnieri said that she would have to know a little more about Thomas before deciding to vote for him if he seeks re-election.

Thomas, whose term ends next year, has not yet announced if he will run again. But, at Thursday's event, Thomas collected signatures that would help put him on the ballot.

With his security guard by his side, Thomas reminded the audience one more time why he may need one.

"All right," Thomas said as he left. "I'm going to go bust some bad guys."

Reach the reporter at: andre.f.radzischewski@asu.edu.