Former Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio says in a new interview that he believes he has a connection with President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE, claiming “I can read his mind without even talking to him.”

“I think he may be reading mine,” Arpaio told The Washington Post. “Is there something that goes through the airwaves? Mental telepathy?”

Arpaio, who is running for a Senate seat in Arizona, also credited Trump for his decision to run for office, saying Trump “needs help” in Washington.

“I am running now because of Trump,” Arpaio told the Post. “Because he needs help.”

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The former sheriff also told the Post he believes Trump should make him White House press secretary.

“That would be a great combination, what a great combination,” he said. “I’ll have all those reporters eating out of my hand, you know that.”



Arpaio announced his Republican bid for Senate in January, saying he was running “to support the agenda and policies of President Donald Trump.”

“I’m going to have to work hard; you don’t take anything for granted. But I would not being doing this if I thought that I could not win. I’m not here to get my name in the paper, I get that every day, anyway,” Arpaio told the Washington Examiner at the time.

Trump pardoned Arpaio last year after he was convicted of ignoring a court order related to racial profiling in his county.

“Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now 85 years old, and after more than 50 years of admirable service to our Nation, he is a worthy candidate for a Presidential pardon," the White House said in a statement at the time.

Arpaio is among a crowded GOP Senate primary field to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden Maybe they just don't like cowboys: The president is successful, some just don't like his style MORE (R). Other candidates include Rep. Martha McSally Martha Elizabeth McSallyMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE (R) and former state Sen. Kelli Ward (R).

In a poll released in early January, Arpaio was statistically tied with McSally in the race.