Democratic attorney general candidate endorsed by more Republicans, former sheriffs
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A group of Idaho law enforcement officials announced their support Thursday morning for Tom Arkoosh, a lawyer, lobbyist and self-described independent running for Idaho attorney general as a Democrat.
Former sheriffs from Ada and Bannock counties endorsed Arkoosh at a news conference Thursday. According to a news release, the Garden City lawyer also earned support from former Cassia and Bonneville counties’ sheriffs, two former Twin Falls police chiefs and former county prosecutors from around the state.
Vaughn Killeen and Gary Raney, both former Republican Ada County sheriffs, spoke at the Thursday news conference and lauded Arkoosh for his relationship with law enforcement.
Killeen said he’s concerned the relationship between the law enforcement and the state’s top lawyer “could be damaged” if Arkoosh’s opponent, former Republican Congressman Raúl Labrador, is elected.
Mike Dillon, a former FBI agent and chief investigator for the Idaho attorney general’s office under outgoing Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, called Arkoosh “a giant of integrity.”
Arkoosh, who launched his campaign in July when former Democratic nominee Steve Scanlin withdrew, will face off against Labrador on Nov. 8.
Labrador, also a former state legislator, defeated longtime Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in the GOP primary by running on a platform some have criticized as political advocacy rather than simply upholding the law. Labrador has denied those allegations.
The law enforcement officials join nearly 50 other prominent Republicans, including a former governor, who have publicly backed Arkoosh in the past month.
Labrador’s campaign adviser Brent Littlefield responded to an Idaho Statesman request for comment on Arkoosh’s endorsements by touting Labrador’s own law enforcement ties. Littlefield said Labrador has the support of several current Idaho sheriffs, including Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford and Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue, as well as sheriffs from Kootenai, Twin Falls, Clearwater, Fremont and Oneida counties.
“Democrat Arkoosh’s entire campaign is about false and misleading attacks from former politicians and former officials,” Littlefield said in an emailed response, calling Arkoosh’s supporters “has-been politicians.”
“Raúl Labrador is not focused on the past, he is focused on Idaho’s future,” Littlefield added.
Supporters tout Arkoosh’s experience
Arkoosh’s supporters said Thursday he’ll bring prosecutorial experience and a balanced approach to the attorney general’s office. It’s a similar argument used by other prominent Republicans who have voiced support for Arkoosh. That includes Jim Jones, a former attorney general and Idaho Supreme Court justice.
Arkoosh’s backers praised their candidate during the news conference but also threw barbs at his opponent. Killeen recounted his disapproval when, in 2017, then-U.S. Rep. Labrador wrote U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions a letter to ask for reprieve for Ammon Bundy and other Idaho men arrested during an armed standoff with law enforcement in Nevada.
“Extremism is not an ally for democracy,” Killeen said Thursday.
This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 11:29 AM.
