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Arpaio endorses Trump, campaigns in Iowa

Posted at 1:02 PM, Jan 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-26 23:28:51-05

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has formally endorsed Republican businessman Donald Trump for president.

Trump's campaign announced the endorsement from the self-proclaimed "America's toughest sheriff" on Tuesday.

Arpaio appeared at two Trump rallies in metropolitan Phoenix last year, so the endorsement wasn't a surprise. He introduced the GOP candidate to cheering crowds.

Trump and Arpaio are both outspoken proponents of increased border security.

“Everything I believe in he’s doing and he’s going to do it when he becomes president,” Arpaio said. “It is my privilege and honor to help him, to endorse him.” 

Arpaio political power in Arizona has taken a hit in the past year as he's battled a potential contempt of court finding by a federal judge. The judge is considering whether Arpaio's violations of a 2011 order in a racial profiling lawsuit merit a civil contempt finding, fines and a broader court-ordered overhaul of his office.

Trump is vying for, and currently leading in the latest ABC poll, the Republican presidential nomination.

Campaigns are heating up this week ahead of the Iowa Caucus, which is slated for Feb. 1.