Candidates for county judge and sheriff will be at forum

BENTONVILLE -- Barry Moehring and Shawn Holloway won the Republican nominations for county judge and sheriff and now the two must defeat candidates in November's general election to win the offices.

Moehring and Holloway will debate their opponents beginning 6 p.m. Monday at the Shewmaker Center for Global Business Development on the Northwest Arkansas Community College main campus.

County debate

6 p.m. Monday

NWACC Shewmaker Center for Global Business Development

1000 S.E. Eagle Way, Bentonville

Sponsored by the Benton County Farm Bureau

County judge candidates: Barry Moehring, Republican; Ronnie Smith, Libertarian; and Jeff Broadston, write-in

County sheriff candidates: Shawn Holloway, Republican; and Glenn Latham, independent

The election is Nov. 8.

Moehring faces Ronnie Smith, a Libertarian Party candidate, and Jeff Broadston, a write-in candidate, in the county judge race.

Moehring defeated County Judge Bob Clinard in the March primary.

Holloway defeated three candidates, including then-Sheriff Kelley Cradduck, to win the Republican primary. He faces Glenn Latham, an independent candidate, in the election.

Cradduck resigned from office and Sheriff Meyer Gilbert was appointed to serve the remainder of Cradduck's term, which ends Dec. 31.

"I'm looking forward to telling people what direction I will take the Sheriff's Office if elected," Holloway said.

Holloway, who is chief deputy with the Sheriff's Office, said officials there have been working on next year's budget so he has not had much time to focus on the campaign.

Holloway said he's not taking anything for granted and plans to put up signs and go door-to-door.

"It's a big county, and you could go door-to-door all year and probably still not make every home," he said.

Latham sees Monday's forum as an opportunity for voters to get to know him.

"It is important to me to attend the debates so the people can see I am a real, genuine and concerned candidate about the future of the Benton County Sheriffs Office," Latham said. "I'm not a politician. I'm simply a plain-spoken person with a desire to serve the public in the manner they deserve and am tired of the self serving being placed in positions of power."

Moehring said he's campaigning for the general election in much the same way he approached the primary vote.

"We're putting out signs, and we'll be doing some door-to-door as the election draws closer," Moehring said.

Smith said he will soon begin his campaign work, setting out the signs he's made himself and trying to meet with as many potential voters as he can. Smith said he puts more importance on talking with individuals than appearing in forums.

"I will be there, of course," he said of Monday's forum. "I personally don't see a lot of good that comes out of it, but it's politics and it's one of the things you do. There's not that many people who will attend. People don't seem interested in politics in general, and people really aren't interested in local politics for some reason."

Moehring said he sees no change in the issues from March to November, with the proposed new courts building being the single biggest issue.

Smith said county roads are always an area of interest for the voters he talks to. He said his background in construction helps him with those voters.

"I know what I'm capable of doing," he said. "I know I'm qualified to do that job. If the folks come out and vote, I'll get the opportunity.

Broadston did not respond to telephone calls seeking comment.

NW News on 10/01/2016

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