Sheriff Arpaio Down 10 Points In New Poll

A day after federal prosecutors announced that they would seek criminal contempt-of-court charges against six-term Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (R) for disregarding a judges order to cease his long-standing immigration patrols, an new independent poll has been released showing the "toughest sheriff" down.

The poll was conducted  by political consultant Gibson McKay over at  Sherpa Public Affairs shows Arpaio's Democratic opponent, Paul Penzone, leading  by 10-points..

"I knew there was a lot of discussion among the chattering class that Arpaio was having trouble. I was surprised that the margin by which indicated as him losing." -Fox10

With just 3 weeks until election day, was this move by Obama Administration prosecutors politically motivated?

Remember, Arpaio's tough long-standing opposition to President Obama's immigration policy and agenda has not gone unnoticed by national Democrats and the president himself.

The pro-illegal immigration lobby has had Arpaio marked for political death for his strong-armed tactics in dealing with illegal immigration and the crimes that follows it. The state's Democratic Party has out in force, Taco trucks and all, in trying to register as many Hispanics to vote this election year.

According to the poll of 348 live Maricopa County voters conducted by Sherpa Public Affairs, Arpaio garnered  40.52 percent support while Democrat Paul Penzone received 50.86 percent support.

Arpaio by the numbers

Men: 38%-55%

Women: 47%-42%

Independents 38%-53%

50-64 Age group: 45%-51%

65+ Age grouup: 50%-41%

If these poll statitics are accruate, there may very well be a "new sheriff in town" come November 8.