YULEE, Fla. -- Four men with strong ties to Nassau County are waiting for voters to decide who will become the next sheriff.
Sheriff Tommy Seagraves decided not to seek reelection, opening up the top law job to someone new.
All the candidates are Republicans: Chris Hartley, Garland "Bubba" Rhoden, Bill Leeper and Steve Whitley.
The men vying for sheriff all have varying degrees of law enforcement experience, with Hartley and Leeper each having more than three decades. Rhoden has seven years on the job and currently is a narcotics detective. Hartley has worn a badge before and touts his experience in private business as a plus.
"We got to do something with our budget," said Whitley, who added that improving the image of the department is a priority.
"Folks in Nassau County have spoken up. They are tired of the good old boys system," said Hartley, emphasizing that he offers new leadership.
"They want someone to come in and be honest and answer their questions," said Rhoden, the youngest candidate in the race at age 38.
"The first thing I want to do is a top to bottom review of agency and do this with outside professionals," said Leeper on what he believes needs to be done.
The sheriff's race will be decided on Tuesday with voters from all parties being able to vote. The top vote getter will win the election.
The polls in Nassau County and across the First Coast open at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
The next sheriff in Nassau County will take office in January.
First Coast News