A Republican congressional candidate in Arizona has launched a formal recall effort against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, citing frustration over his handling of the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie. Daniel Butierez confirmed he received his serial number for the recall on Thursday and now has 120 days to collect the required signatures to force a potential special election, the Post reported.

Butierez says the bipartisan recall drive against Sheriff Nanos was fueled by allegations that the sheriff lied under oath about his employment history, a unanimous vote of no confidence from Pima County police, and growing public outrage over the still-unsolved disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, who was reported missing on Feb. 1, 2026.

Critics argue that Nanos has mismanaged a high-profile missing persons case that has drawn national attention, and the recall effort reflects deep dissatisfaction that crosses party lines in Pima County. From this point, the timeline of events and the political dynamics surrounding the recall campaign deserve closer scrutiny.

Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance Remains Unsolved

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home on Feb. 1, 2026. As of the most recent reports, she still has not been found. Sheriff Nanos, a Democrat, held a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, where he took questions from reporters about the investigation.

The case has remained in the public spotlight in large part because of Guthrie's connection to her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, a well-known television personality. Images of Nancy Guthrie's home continued to circulate as the investigation was ongoing as recently as Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. Despite the attention, no resolution has been announced publicly.

The lack of progress in the case has become a rallying point for those who believe the Pima County Sheriff's Department has failed in its duties. Butierez said the situation has left residents across the political spectrum frustrated and demanding accountability from their top law enforcement official.

Allegations of Perjury Described as the 'Final Straw'

According to Butierez, allegations that surfaced last week claiming Sheriff Nanos lied under oath about his employment history were the catalyst that pushed the recall effort forward. Butierez characterized those allegations as the "final straw" for many in the community. No specific date or additional details regarding the perjury claims were provided.

Butierez said he decided to begin recall proceedings on Wednesday after speaking directly with rank-and-file Pima County officers. He said those deputies expressed a desire to initiate the recall themselves but feared potential repercussions from Nanos. On Friday, Butierez said, Pima County police held a unanimous vote expressing no confidence in their sheriff.

"I decided I'd do it because I'm a congressional candidate, I'm already in the spotlight, and I don't see Nanos messing with me," Butierez said. He added that the recall effort is not partisan in nature. "This is a bipartisan effort. It's not like we're trying to get signatures from one party or the other."

The Road to 120,000 Signatures in 120 Days

To trigger a recall election, organizers must collect signatures equal to 25% of the total votes cast in the 2024 sheriff's race, which amounts to roughly 120,000 signatures. Butierez said he is aiming higher, targeting approximately 135,000 signatures to provide a cushion. "Right now, we have almost 500 volunteers who want to get signatures, and five notaries to notarize the pages for everyone," he said.

If the required number of valid signatures is obtained, the Pima County Recorder has 60 days to verify them against voter registration records. Should verification succeed, Sheriff Nanos would be notified and given five days to decide whether to resign or trigger a special recall election. Representatives for Nanos did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the matter.

Butierez is simultaneously running his congressional campaign, preparing to face Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva in November in what he describes as a rematch of last September's special election. Grijalva won that contest with nearly 69% of the vote. Butierez said he believes the social media attention generated by the recall campaign will bolster his congressional bid, and he recounted a recent conversation with Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, a Democrat, in which he says she expressed willingness to collaborate with him.

Lessons to Learn

1. Community vigilance matters in missing persons cases. When a loved one disappears, timely reporting and public awareness campaigns can be critical in the early hours and days. Nancy Guthrie's case shows how quickly a disappearance can become a prolonged investigation without resolution.

2. Holding elected officials accountable is a civic responsibility. Whether through voting, recall efforts, or public advocacy, residents have tools to demand competent leadership from those entrusted with public safety. The recall drive against Sheriff Nanos illustrates how citizens can take action when they believe their leaders have failed.

3. Personal safety planning is always worthwhile. Maintaining regular check-ins with family members, especially elderly relatives living alone, can help ensure that any emergency is identified quickly.

However, it is essential to remember that crime can happen to anyone regardless of precautions taken, and victims should never be blamed for the actions of others.

Why This Story Matters

This story matters because it sits at the intersection of public safety and political accountability in a community still searching for answers about a missing woman. The recall effort signals that residents of Pima County, regardless of political affiliation, are unwilling to accept what they view as inadequate leadership during a crisis that has captured national attention. How this campaign unfolds could set a precedent for how communities across the country respond when they feel their elected law enforcement officials have fallen short.

In summary, Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson home on Feb. 1, 2026, and remains unfound despite an ongoing investigation led by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Republican congressional candidate Daniel Butierez has launched a bipartisan recall effort against Nanos, citing the sheriff's handling of the Guthrie case and allegations that he lied under oath about his employment history. Butierez says he has nearly 500 volunteers and 120 days to gather roughly 120,000 signatures, with a goal of 135,000, to force a special recall election. Representatives for Sheriff Nanos have not commented on the recall drive.