Story perspectives

Recall Looms for Sheriff Amid Guthrie Investigation Crisis

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos faces a recall led by Republican Daniel Butierez over his handling of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie.
Butierez has 500 volunteers collecting signatures toward 120,000 within 120 days.
Investigators fear for Nancy Guthrie's safety amid concerns she may be dead.
Nanos is accused of misrepresenting his work history and mishandling the investigation.
A $1 million reward is offered as the search continues.

History

Historical Context

The 2016 recall election of Pima County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, marked by over 400 lawsuits and $70 million in taxpayer costs, reflected deep community tensions over immigration policies. Following Arpaio's controversial tenure, current Sheriff Chris Nanos faces scrutiny over his handling of Nancy Guthrie's case, highlighting ongoing concerns about accountability in law enforcement practices in the county.

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Story summary

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos faces a recall led by Republican Daniel Butierez over his handling of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie.
Butierez has 500 volunteers collecting signatures toward 120,000 within 120 days.
Investigators fear for Nancy Guthrie's safety amid concerns she may be dead.
Nanos is accused of misrepresenting his work history and mishandling the investigation.
A $1 million reward is offered as the search continues.

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