PHOENIX -- As was widely anticipated, former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley endorsed Tim Nelson over sitting County Attorney Andrew Thomas in the race for the position Romley held for 16 years.

At a press conference convened outside the county attorney's office in downtown Phoenix Thursday, Romley, a Republican who backed Thomas in his first bid for county attorney in 2004, announced he was supporting Democrat Tim Nelson, praising Nelson's qualifications and criticizing the incumbent.

"Initially, I did not have any intentions to endorse a candidate in the Maricopa County attorney's race," said Romley. However, he said, "too many disturbing phone calls" from area law enforcement officials regarding Thomas's policies led him to back his opponent. 

"I am formally endorsing Tim Nelson," said Romley.

Romley praised Nelson as a "bright, experienced attorney," and said he was "proud" to give Nelson his backing.

The former chief prosecutor for the county went on to shoot barbs at his successor, citing many of the arguments the Nelson campaign has wielded against Thomas. They included Thomas's controversial use of dollars intended to fight organized crime to pay for an author's book signing event, and the back-and-forth between Maricopa officials and the New Times, which culminated in the arrest of the New Times' publishers and information regarding its readers being subpoenaed.

Moreover, Romley said he was concerned about something "more fundamental" - the tone that he said exists under Thomas.

"A type of McCarthyism exists in Marciopa County, and this is partially due to Andy Thomas," said Romley. "Our community is becoming more polarized than at any other time in recent history."

He also took aim at Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, saying there were "very, very bad things" occuring under the watch of the county's top cop. He particularly decried an ad put out by the Arizona Republican Party against Arpaio opponent Dan Saban that brought back to light issues stemming from sexual abuse Saban suffered as a teen.    

The Thomas campaign was on hand with a response to Romley's remarks, saying the endorsement was the result of a "long-running feud" between Romley and Arpaio, and more recently between Romley and Thomas.

"Romley has worked for years to undermine Thomas and intimidate his supporters," read the release put out by the incumbent's campaign. "He offered regular, resentful commentaries and criticisms about Thomas to the local media, a practice that started the week after Thomas took office."

The campaign included a copy of an email Romley sent to community activist Donna Neill in 2006, questioning her support for Thomas.

"I'm sending you this e-mail because I was 'shocked' to read your support for Andy Thomas," read the email. Romley told Neill that he'd received "numerous e-mails from neighborhood activists complaining about him," and warned her against supporting him.

"Donna -- Be careful. Don't end up being out there alone w/him. My sense is that the walls are about ready to come down."

Romley denied that he had been trying to undermine Thomas from the beginning, saying that he had initially been a supporter but became "disappointed" with the way Thomas ran the office.

For his part, Nelson said Romley's endorsement "means a lot to me," and expressed gratitude for his support.