Arpaio lost by more than 6,200 votes in the Republican primary for Maricopa County sheriff to his former top aide, Jerry Sheridan.
In the Nov. 3 general election, Sheridan will face Democrat Paul Penzone, who unseated Arpaio four years ago.
Arpaio said he believes some supporters who have thanked him in recent years for his service really meant they wanted him to move on from politics.
“What they meant is it’s time to go fishing,” said Arpaio, who isn’t an angler.
In his latest campaign, Arpaio got only a fraction of the campaign money he was famous for raising and was criticized for his conviction.
Arpaio said many people didn’t know he was running until they saw his name on the ballot.
“I know they will paint me with the Joe Arpaio brush,” Sheridan said. »