Sanchez Challenges Head For Bentonville Ward 4 Council Seat

BENTONVILLE -- Octavio Sanchez will face Burton Head for a second time for the Ward 4, Position 1 City Council seat.

Sanchez lost the 2012 election by 194 votes, or less than 1 percent. Head received 5,133 votes, or 51 percent, and Sanchez received 4,939 votes, or 49 percent, two years ago, according Benton County's Election Commission.

Sanchez is a member of the Bentonville Public Library Advisory Board, treasurer of College Place subdivision's Architectural Control Committee and is a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Bentonville's board, according to campaign information.

He is a database administrator for Walmart.

"I think I have the experience and ideas that will help for the betterment of the city," Sanchez said on why he's running.

His priorities will be to maintain infrastructure and avoid negative impacts of growth, such as excessive traffic and aggressive social behavior, he said. Aggressive social behavior could include aggressive driving and crimes such as thefts and break-ins, he said.

Craig Cox was introduced to Sanchez shortly after Cox moved into the College Place subdivision 11 years ago. He wrote in a letter supporting Sanchez' campaign.

Sanchez has commitment and passion for College Place, the city and the community, Cox said.

"He always leads by example," Cox wrote. "Octavio Sanchez is a family man, a gifted man, a man of faith that will bring integrity, leadership, compassion and true experience to our Bentonville City Council."

William and Janie Hall, owners of Bill's Automotive One, have known Sanchez for 17 years and have encouraged him to run for office they said in a support letter.

"He has the highest dignity for our people of this city and would like to help make this the best city possible," they wrote.

The filing period for municipal elections closes at noon today.