PHOENIX - Sheriff Joe Arpaio has conceded defeat to Democrat Paul Penzone in a race that has brought an end to his tenure as "America's toughest sheriff."

Arpaio, a Republican, released a statement saying he was disappointed with the results and looking forward to working with Penzone "on a seamless transition."

As Maricopa County sheriff, Arpaio became a nationally known political figure with his immigration raids but he ran afoul of the federal courts after he was found to have racially profiled Latinos. He was charged with criminal contempt of court less than a month before the election for defying a judge's orders in the case.