Choose a Brighter Future - Vote Democrat

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office will get a new leader next year. The incumbent, Republican Mark Lamb, is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kyrsten Sinema.

The Sheriff's Office patrols unincorporated areas of the county and municipalities without a designated police force. The office also oversees the county's jails, serves court orders and warrants, collects delinquent taxes and coordinates search-and-rescue missions.

Lamb has been Pinal County sheriff since 2017 and will have served two terms by the end of his run.

Republican hopefuls for his replacement are Ross Teeple, Kevin Cavanaugh and Charles Austin Jr.

Patrick Melvin is the only Democrat running.

The Republic asked the candidates four questions about how they would approach their role as sheriff and their priorities if elected.

Austin did not respond. Here's what Cavanaugh, Melvin and Teeple had to say, in alphabetical order. Some answers have been abridged.

Kevin Cavanaugh: I am the only candidate running with the skills, integrity, education, and experience to appropriately manage the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. As (a) Pinal County supervisor, I have learned much about county government and realized citizens would be better served with me as sheriff. Abe Hamadeh said Pinal County corruption would be his number one priority if elected attorney general, and with me being sheriff, Pinal corruption will die on the vine. Rush Limbaugh said do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life; I feel that way about policing.

Patrick Melvin: This may seem like an easy question to answer but, in truth, it’s very complex and layered. I’m concerned about the safety and security of each and every resident of Pinal County, so let me address how current county law enforcement has gone astray and what needs to change.

When I speak with folks across the county, they tell me that they don’t think politics and partisanship have a place in law enforcement, and I agree. It seems to me that the last two Pinal County sheriffs used the office merely as a stepping stone to run for higher elected office. Also, these sheriffs have been involved with politically extreme organizations and seem to feel that it’s their role to interpret the constitutionality of laws and take positions without evidence or authority on election results and procedures. I strongly believe that politics and headline grabbing detract from the sheriff’s sworn duty. Pinal County deserves much better.

The job of law enforcement is to protect and serve, not to be political or usurp the constitutional duties of the legislative or judicial branches of our government. After serving in this noble profession for 38 years (12 years as a police chief in three different agencies and serving as a deputy chief in the fourth-largest Sheriff’s Office in the country, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office) at this stage of my life and my career, I can honestly say this is my dream job. I will not run for another office. Pinal County is my home and as sheriff, I will follow the laws as written by the Arizona Legislature without fear or favor. My sole priority will be the safety and security of the residents of Pinal County.

My 38 years of law enforcement and police department command and executive experience far exceed the limited experience of all my opponents’ experience combined! I’ve led and dramatically improved the operations of police departments at the city, tribal and county levels. I’m running because my unique expertise is exactly what the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department needs: to become a nonpartisan, professional and modern and nationally accredited law enforcement agency. I am the only candidate with police chief level, deputy chief level and command experience. Additionally, I am the only candidate with chief level experience in Pinal County!

Ross Teeple: As the only candidate with Pinal County Sheriff's Office sworn leadership experience, I would like to continue my over 33 years of public service by protecting the individual Liberties of every Pinal County citizen. That is why our current sheriff, Mark Lamb, asked me to run.