Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, the embattled lead in the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, could soon be fired, according to new reports.
Just this past week, a massive recall effort was launched against Nanos, with reports citing the recall effort being “an embarrassment” for his handling of the high-profile kidnapping case.
Nanos addressed the effort to oust him soon after it was first revealed by The New York Post on Tuesday.
“We’re aware of the recall, and it’s the right of the people,” Nanos told local affiliate 13 News.
“We’ll always honor the will of the people, and that’s what makes democracy,” he added, indicating he would okay if he were ousted.
SHERIFF RECALL EFFORT: We've confirmed with the Pima County Elections Department that a recall effort has been launched for Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. It was filed on March 12th.
The sheriff says, "We're aware of the recall and it's the right of the people. We'll always… pic.twitter.com/guLTaNylPS
— Mary Coleman (@Mary_reports) March 18, 2026
The recall effort is being led by Arizona Republican congressional candidate Daniel Butierez.
Starting last Thursday, when he officially began recall proceedings, Butierez has 120 days to collect the necessary signatures to oust Nanos.
Butierez told The Post on Tuesday that he had launched the recall campaign over Nanos’ handling of the Guthrie case as well as allegations he misrepresented his employment history.
According to Butierez, who is running in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District this November, there is increasing anger over his conduct among rank-and-file Pima County police officers as well as Nanos’ fellow Democrats.
Nanos “has been an embarrassment to Tucson and to Pima County with this Nancy Guthrie case,” Butierez said.
“Everyone’s pretty disgusted, Democrats and Republicans.”
During a sworn deposition in December, Nanos was asked whether he had ever been suspended during his law enforcement career and answered “no.”
However, records in his former police department in El Paso show he was suspended eight separate times during his tenure.
“When you see something this troubling and serious going on with one of the county officeholders, it’s very, very important for us to investigate as fully as possible and to find out more information,” Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz, a fellow Democrat, told the Arizona Republic.
“This man has been living a fraud for the past 43 years in Pima County. I would like to see him removed,” Heinz added.
This is the latest scandal related to Nanos, as he also faces an unrelated $1.35 million lawsuit from an inmate at the Pima County Jail.
The news of Nanos’ potential ouster comes as the search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, 54, approaches the 50-day mark with no suspects or persons of interest identified.
This is an ongoing story. Check back for further updates.