Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, currently leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, is facing a growing recall movement due to the lack of progress in the case.
Daniel Butierez, a Republican congressional candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), has initiated this recall effort after publicly calling for Nanos to resign on March 12.
“Sheriff Chris Nanos has lost the trust of the community. If he does not resign by week’s end, I will move forward with a recall,” Butierez announced.
The process adheres to Arizona’s standard county regulations. After starting the effort, Butierez was issued a petition serial number and has 120 days to gather signatures amounting to 25 percent of the votes from the 2024 sheriff election, approximately 120,000 signatures.
As of this week, nearly 500 volunteers, aided by five notaries, have stepped up to support the campaign. Butierez described the initiative as bipartisan, providing a mailing address for submitted petitions.
“We need honest leadership in Pima County,” he noted. “Support the effort to collect signatures and restore integrity.”
Butierez cited the stalled investigation as a major reason for the recall. Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman from the Tucson area and mother of television host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1, 2026, after last being seen returning home from a family dinner.
Six weeks have passed without significant leads in the case.
“This situation has become an embarrassment for both Tucson and Pima County,” Butierez remarked regarding Nanos’ handling of the investigation.
Another critical point raised by Butierez was the recent revelation of Nanos’ sworn testimony during a December 2025 deposition linked to a separate lawsuit. During questioning, Nanos claimed ignorance of any disciplinary actions in his four-decade career.
However, public records from his time at the El Paso Police Department indicate eight suspensions for various issues, including excessive force and habitual tardiness.
Nanos had resigned from the El Paso department shortly before starting in Pima County.
“The citizens of Pima County deserve to know that their sheriff has not been truthful under oath,” remarked Sgt. Aaron Cross, president of the Pima County Sheriff’s Deputy Organization.
Though Nanos, a Democrat who narrowly won reelection in 2024, has yet to publicly address the recall initiative, Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz plans to discuss Nanos’ employment history at the upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting.
