An Arizona Sheriff, His Helicopter and a U.S. Senate Run
It is quintessentially American to participate in the democratic process without threat of violence from law enforcement or vigilantes.

Jessica Pishko is an independent journalist and lawyer who, for the last decade, has focused on the criminal justice system and how law enforcement intersects with political power. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Politico, the Nation and more. She is writing a book about the political power of sheriffs to be published by Dutton. Prior to writing, Pishko practiced law where she specialized in securities fraud and did pro bono work defending death penalty clients and victims of domestic abuse. Pishko graduated with a J.D. from Harvard Law School and received an M.F.A. from Columbia University. As a contributor to Democracy Docket, Pishko writes about the criminalization of elections and how sheriffs in particular have become a growing threat to democracy.
It is quintessentially American to participate in the democratic process without threat of violence from law enforcement or vigilantes.
In February of this year, the newly elected top executive for Tarrant County, Texas — which includes Fort Worth — Tim O’Hare announced the creation of an “election task force.”
Even though sheriffs are prohibited from interfering in elections, there is a long and terrible history of sheriffs preventing Black citizens from voting.
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