Travis Arnold (Santa Cruz County Sheriff, Arizona, candidate 2024)
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Travis Arnold (independent) ran for election to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff in Arizona. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Arnold completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Travis Arnold provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 31, 2024:
- Birth date: June 25, 1984
- Birth place: Baldwin, Wisconsin
- High school: Barron Senior High School
- Military service: United States Army National Guard, 2001-2013
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Christian
- Profession: Law Enforcement Officer
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: "Community First, Integrity Always – Independent Leadership for Santa Cruz County."
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General election
General election for Santa Cruz County Sheriff
David Hathaway and Travis Arnold ran in the general election for Santa Cruz County Sheriff on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | David Hathaway (D) | |
Travis Arnold (Independent)  | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Santa Cruz County Sheriff
Jose Agosttini, Rafael Corrales, David Hathaway, Andrew Ibarra, and Mario Morales ran in the Democratic primary for Santa Cruz County Sheriff on July 30, 2024.
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Arnold in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Travis Arnold completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Arnold's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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After my tenure in the Sheriff's Office, I ventured into the private sector, leveraging my experience to establish and expand a successful company that now supports military personnel at over 76 bases worldwide. This journey has not only given me an entrepreneurial mindset but also deep insights into effective management, team-building, and how to foster a work environment that encourages growth and accountability.
I am running for Sheriff because I believe in a non-partisan approach to public safety. Our community deserves a leader focused on the welfare and protection of its citizens, free from political motivations. My campaign is built on pillars of transparency, strong partnerships, and advanced training. I am committed to implementing structured career development plans, fostering better morale within the department, and ensuring our deputies have access to modern technology and effective training programs.- Running as an Independent for Sheriff, I believe public safety should be free of partisan politics. Santa Cruz County deserves a leader who values teamwork, transparency, and real community engagement. I will prioritize strategic partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies to enhance our crime prevention efforts and bring innovative solutions like real-time situational awareness to our department. With your trust and support, I will lead with integrity and ensure that our law enforcement serves every resident with respect and dedication.
- My experience spans military service, local law enforcement, and business ownership. These roles have taught me the value of integrity, innovation, and the importance of putting the team first. As Sheriff, I will implement structured career development plans, advanced training programs, and technology-driven strategies to modernize our approach. With a focus on partnerships and outreach, I am committed to a safer Santa Cruz County where the Sheriff’s Office is trusted, efficient, and accountable.
- My campaign is built on transparency, accountability, and community-focused law enforcement. I am dedicated to improving department morale, fostering career development, and enhancing public trust. I will work tirelessly to protect and serve our county, ensuring that safety is prioritized above politics.
I also suggest "The Mission, The Men, and Me" by Pete Blaber for its insights into practical leadership and decision-making under pressure. The book highlights the importance of adaptability, understanding the big picture, and putting the well-being of the team above personal interests—principles that align with my approach to public safety and community service.
Integrity: An elected official must demonstrate unwavering honesty and transparency. Integrity builds trust with the community, showing that decisions are made based on ethics, not personal gain or political expediency.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions is vital. An effective leader is open to scrutiny, learns from mistakes, and holds themselves and their team to the highest standards of conduct.
Leadership and Empathy: True leadership means putting the well-being of others first and leading by example. Empathy helps officials connect with their community, understand its challenges, and make policies that genuinely serve people’s needs.
Commitment to Public Service: The role of an elected official is to serve the community above all else. This requires dedication, putting aside personal or partisan interests, and focusing on what is best for the public good.
Transparency: Keeping the public informed about government operations, decision-making processes, and policies fosters trust. Transparency in actions and communication ensures that constituents feel valued and involved.
Adaptability and Vision: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining a clear vision for the future is essential for effective leadership. An official must be open to innovative solutions and ready to navigate new challenges.
Fairness and Impartiality: Treating all individuals and groups with fairness, regardless of political affiliation, socioeconomic status, or background, is critical for building an inclusive and supportive community.
Ensuring Public Safety: The primary duty is to protect and serve the community by maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and responding effectively to emergencies. This involves overseeing patrol operations, investigations, and special units to ensure the safety of all residents.
Leadership and Department Management: A Sheriff must lead with integrity and inspire confidence among deputies and staff. This includes fostering a positive work environment, ensuring fair performance evaluations, and promoting professional development and training for the department.
Transparency and Accountability: Upholding public trust is essential. This involves being transparent in the department’s actions, maintaining open communication with the community, and implementing policies that ensure accountability, such as the use of body cameras and public reporting of incidents.
Community Engagement and Partnerships: Building strong relationships with residents, local organizations, and other law enforcement agencies is key. The Sheriff should work collaboratively to implement community-based programs that enhance trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public.
Fiscal Responsibility and Resource Management: Managing the department's budget efficiently to ensure resources are used effectively without undue strain on taxpayers. This includes pursuing grants and external funding to support new initiatives and improvements.
Adaptability and Modernization: Embracing technology and modern strategies to improve law enforcement operations, enhance response times, and maintain situational awareness. The Sheriff should implement innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the community.
I hope to be remembered as a leader who prioritized the well-being and development of the deputies and staff, creating a supportive and motivating environment where they could thrive and grow. By implementing comprehensive training programs, career development opportunities, and a "leaders eat last" approach, I aim to set the foundation for a department where morale and retention are strong, and where public servants feel valued and respected.
As Sheriff, I would prioritize implementing detailed financial reporting practices and promote the use of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to measure progress and success. This approach helps to set clear, measurable goals and allows the community to track our department’s achievements and areas for improvement. I also advocate for independent audits and reviews to guarantee that all financial practices are in line with legal and ethical standards.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Santa Cruz County Sheriff |
Footnotes
