Action movie and reality TV star Steven Seagal says he’s “remotely” considering a run for Arizona governor.
The “Under Siege” and “Stephen Seagal: Lawman” star says he’s discussed the possibility with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Seagal serves on “Lawman” as a member of Arpaio’s volunteer posse. Arpaio, self-described as “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” has been discussed as a potential gubernatorial candidate for years.
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“Joe Arpaio and I were talking about me running for governor in Arizona which was kind of a joke,” Seagal told Phoenix station KTVK. But I suppose I would remotely consider it. But I probably would have a lot more other responsibilities that may be more important to address.”
He said he believes “open borders” are the biggest problem facing the United States.
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Seagal’s work on “Lawman” could create two potential problems for Seagal. First, he was accused of sexual harassment during the first season of the show by a woman who later dropped her $1 million claim. It was unclear whether Seagal had settled. In her suit, Kayden Nguyen said Seagal treated her like a sex slave after she was hired to replace one of two women “who were available for his sexual needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Seagal was also sued in 2012 by an Arizona man whose home was raided by Seagal and sheriff’s deputies, who used a SWAT tank and other armored vehicles to bust up what they believed to be a cockfighting ring. Jesus Llovera claims that the March 10, 2011 raid on his Laveen, Ariz., residence was excessive, and played up for the sake of the A&E show. The raid included a SWAT team, a bomb robot and 40 deputies.
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Seagal was joined by Arpaio, whose headline-grabbing antics have included making jail inmates wear pink underwear and investigating President Obama’s birth. Earlier this week, the Arizona Republic broke the news that Maricopa County taxpayers will have to pay $21.9 million because of a court ruling that found Arpaio’s office racially profiled Latinos in its regular traffic and immigration patrols.