PHOENIX -- The race for the position of Maricopa County attorney is turning out to be more competitive than anyone predicted as Democratic candidate Tim Nelson challenges the first-term incumbent, Republican Andrew Thomas.

Thomas has been a very outspoken county attorney who often appears jointly with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The two have become almost a symbol in the fight against illegal immigration, and Thomas has backed Arpaio against charges that the sheriff’s office’s well-publicized crime sweeps are racially motivated.

Nelson, who said he got a taste of politics when he served as legal counsel to Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, disagreed.

"I think some of the sweeps we've seen have indeed been racial profiling," Nelson said. "We've seen upwards of 95 percent in some instances of some people being pulled over (for) being Latino. It's hard to conclude that it's anything other than that."

Thomas said he created guidelines to ensure race was not a factor in the crime sweeps for Arpaio; however, he said Maricopa County needs to remain firm on its position against illegal immigration.

"From my standpoint, illegal immigration is against the law," Thomas said. "We need to acknowledge it – we have to deal with it. Our state is suffering considerably from the impact (of) illegal immigration."

Nelson said he decided to run for the position of county attorney because he thought the justice system was "on the wrong track."

"I've seen too many abuses of power, too much waste of money, and not enough focus on the real job, which is public safety," Nelson said. "I thought I could do it better."

Thomas, on the other hand, said he would, if re-elected, continue along the same path.

"I want to build on the record that I have," he said. "I want to continue to drop down our crime rates, deal with illegal immigration and then deal with some new challenges."

The Maricopa County attorney supervises more than 300 attorneys and has an annual budget of more than $80 million.