BENTONVILLE — Kelley Cradduck kicked off his campaign to become Benton County sheriff on Saturday evening.
Cradduck, 40, of Rogers announced his bid for the Republican nomination in next year’s election before dozens of friends and supporters at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center.
Cradduck ran for Benton County sheriff twice before, but lost both times. He received 24 percent of the vote in the 2008 race and 46 percent in the last campaign.
“We were very encouraged in 2010 by how close we came to beating a long-term incumbent,” Cradduck said. “What that said to us was that our message resonated with many people in Benton County. In addition, I realized that my reasons for running for this seat in 2010 and my message today are still the same. I still believe we face many of the same issues as we did two years ago and believe, overall, I am the best candidate for this job.”
Cradduck said he would like to see a more pro-active approach from the Sheriff’s Office toward issues such as gang intelligence gathering, crime prevention in the county and increasing the number of meth lab investigators in the field.
“Our goal should be to prevent more crime from occurring instead of having to continuously be reactive to it,” Cradduck said.
If elected, Cradduck plans to implement programs in three areas — community policing, new crime prevention measures and anti-gang measures.
Keith Brummett of Bentonville said he supported Cradduck in the other two campaigns. Brummett said he admires Cradduck’s integrity and honesty.
“That’s what we need in politics,” Brummett said. “Someone to stand up to and do the right thing.”
Jim Murawski, who lives in the portion of Springdale in Benton County, said he believes Cradduck has some good ideas that are needed for the Sheriff’s Office.
“Kelley is young and he’s not afraid of change,” Murawski said. “He has some great ideas.”
Jan Hilsman of Bella Vista said she took concealed weapons and self-defense classes taught by Cradduck. “He’s very qualified to be sheriff,” Hilsman said. “I think he has a heart for the people and will do the right thing.
Cradduck said the most important thing he learned from his other campaigns is to “keep it simple.”
“I still believe in running a clean campaign,” Cradduck said. “I believe this time people are ready for some dynamic change.”
Cradduck, an Army veteran, was an officer with the Rogers Police Department for 15 years before resigning in 2010 for a position in the private sector. During his time with the department, Cradduck served three years as an undercover detective with the 19th Judicial District Task Force and he supervised the department’s drug unit. Cradduck was also a SWAT team member for two years; a school resource officer and patrol shift supervisor.
Cradduck and his wife, Bethany, have three children and they attend Fellowship Bible Church in Rogers.