Rebekah L. Sanders

The Republic | azcentral.com

Don Stapley spent 18 years on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

The Mesa Republican is jumping into the crowded race for the 5th Congressional District seat

He'll be running against state Senate President Andy Biggs, state Rep. Justin Olson and Bryan Martyn

Don Stapley, a longtime Maricopa County supervisor who left office amid battles with Sheriff Joe Arpaio, will announce on Wednesday his campaign for a U.S. House seat in the East Valley.

The Mesa Republican said he's returning to politics after more than three years because his experience, respect for local control and focus on cooperation sets him apart from other candidates running for the 5th Congressional District.

"The overarching theme of why I'm running — what I think I bring that's different — is many years of experience with the philosophy and the underpinning principle that being a strong conservative never has to be (about) obstructionism," he told The Arizona Republic in an exclusive interview. "I'm pointing at my history and my ability to collaborate with people to bring about governmental solutions."

Stapley noted that during his 18 years on the county board, he helped save Maricopa's health system that was in danger of closing, tighten the county's belt to retire massive bond debt and keep property-tax rates level for most of that time.

"I will bring that skill set to the House of Representatives to work with Speaker Ryan to bring about significant changes towards a balanced budget," he said.

Strengthening national defense and border security, creating more jobs and reforming the immigration system are other priorities, he said.

He would modernize and rebuild the military. He would boost jobs by reforming corporate taxes so companies don't stash as much money overseas.

And he would support comprehensive immigration reform to allow more skilled foreign workers to join industries such as engineering and technology and provide a way for the country's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to come out of the shadows and "square themselves with the law," though not through a path to citizenship, he said.

Stapley decided not to run for re-election to the county board in 2012. He and other county officials had been targeted by Arpaio and then-County Attorney Andrew Thomas in a years-long feud. Many of the officials reached settlements with the county. Stapley settled for $3.5 million in damages.

The investigations Arpaio and Thomas pursued against Stapley accused him of failing to disclose interests in millions of dollars' worth of property and other business dealings and spending thousands of dollars in campaign donations collected to run unopposed for president of the National Association of Counties on personal items. The funds were spent on stereo equipment and travel to Hawaii, investigators said.

The cases fell apart in court. An outside prosecutor concluded that there might be probable cause to prosecute Stapley for fiscal transgressions, but Thomas' and Arpaio's investigation was too botched to go forward.

Ultimately, Thomas resigned and was disbarred. He and Arpaio were federally investigated but were not criminally charged.

Stapley said at the time that he was a victim of "horrific abuse."

"We all experience adversity," Stapley said this week. "I did nothing wrong, and the courts so ruled. ... It was a difficult time, but I'm fully recovered. I'm stronger because of it."

Today, Stapley does marketing for governmental software developer the Public Group, is chairman of the John Volken Academy board, a drug treatment and job training center, and serves on the state's council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The race for the Republican-leaning open seat has grown crowded since U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., announced he would retire.

Salmon is supporting Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert. Also running are state Rep. Justin Olson, R-Mesa, and former Pinal County Supervisor Bryan Martyn, of Gilbert.

Stapley chided Biggs and Olson for supporting a bill at the Legislature that would allow the state to strip funds from cities if they pass ordinances that contradict state law. Stapley said the legislation undermines local control, increases regulation and is aimed at Tempe for passing a plastic-bag ban.

In 2012, Stapley briefly entered the race for Congress in the toss-up 9th District based in Tempe. He said the 5th District is a better fit because he has spent his life there.

Reporter Michael Kiefer contributed to this story.