Romney co-chair: No impact from Babeu

PHOENIX - One of Mitt Romney's remaining Co-Chairs in Arizona tells ABC15 Sheriff Paul Babeu's resignation will not negatively impact Romney's campaign.

ABC15 sat down for an interview Monday night with Romney Co-Chair and Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Andy Tobin.

Mitt Romney actually has several Co-Chairs in Arizona including Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Attorney General Tom Horne and, up until a couple of days ago, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu.

Sheriff Babeu introduced Mitt Romney at a campaign stop at the Hermosa Inn in December.

After the scandal involving his ex-boyfriend broke last Friday, Babeu stepped down as Co-Chair of Romney's Arizona campaign saying he didn't want to be a distraction.

Speaker Tobin tells ABC15 he talked with key Romney supporters Monday by telephone.

Tobin says Romney's support here in Arizona remains extremely strong even in the wake of Sheriff Babeu's resignation.

"I don't think (the Babeu scandal) is playing at all," said Speaker Tobin. "We wish Sheriff Babeu well. This is about changing America. I don't think (Babeu's resignation) is going to have any negative impact on us at all."

Even before the Babeu controversy, polls showed Romney's lead over Rick Santorum here in Arizona dwindling.

Speaker Tobin says he's confident Romney will prevail when they count the votes on February 28th.