[Candidates are listed in filing order]
The following candidates have filed for sheriff, and all are Republicans. Incumbent Sheriff Jim Ross did not file for re-election, and the winner of this primary will take office in January.
Matthew Dunham has served 17 years in law enforcement, including time spent undercover. He has served as a CID supervisor and roads supervisor. He has consistently stated his goals of making more drug arrests and putting more deputies on the roads. He pledged to make the department non-partisan and said he will speed the recovery from Covid-related issues.
Daniel Klatt has lived in Arkansas more than 30 years, most of that in Carroll County. “I’m running on my training,” he said. In addition to advanced training, Klatt has experience in preparing a budget for the Sheriff’s office. Since retiring from law enforcement two years ago, Klatt has operated two small businesses, and that management experience, he said, will help prepare him to serve as sheriff. Klatt said the Covid crisis took a toll on jail operations, and he would like to restore prisoner programs like church services or drug and alcohol treatment.
Bobby Engles has spent most of his life in Arkansas, with the last four in Carroll County. If elected, Engles has announced his plans to meet with newspapers and radio to keep the community involved in law enforcement efforts. “Our county deserves a vocal sheriff,” he said. He plans to work with the county’s police chiefs, as well as fire departments and first responders. “I’d like to have everyone meet monthly, to find ways to help each other out,” he said. Engles has 13 years in law enforcement, including experience in administration and investigations. He has been representing the sheriff’s office at quorum court meetings in recent months. His support for victims of domestic violence has led him to become board president of Purple Flower.
Brad Handley served with the sheriff’s office before moving on to service with the Green Forest and Eureka Springs police departments. He retired in 2017, and currently operates a security service. That operation has prepared him for all aspects of serving as sheriff, including budgeting and hiring. He has pledged to turn over operation of the security service to family members if elected. He plans to revitalize jail operations, including operating a road crew with prisoners. He would like to see neighborhood watch programs and other cooperative efforts between the public and law enforcement. “Carroll County has a vast amount of people that are more than willing to help,” he said. “We will ask for their help.”
At the candidate forum in Holiday Island, Robert Kennedy pledged to follow state and federal constitutions. He promised to get out from behind the desk and “be out there with the deputies.” He said more women should be hired at the sheriff’s office and mentioned that he has bilingual people ready to join his staff.