John Wheeler has announced his intention to run for a second term as Cole County sheriff.
Wheeler, who served as the Cole County Sheriff's Department's chief deputy for 12 years, was first elected sheriff in 2016.
"As I stated in 2016, I am for moral and ethical decision making, fiscal responsibility, and being as transparent as I am legally permitted," Wheeler said in his campaign announcement. "Now, in 2020, I desire to continue to build and expand on those principles."
Wheeler also said, "The public needs to hold their public officials to higher standards. They need to trust that the decisions from the Office of the Sheriff is in the public's best interest. One of the mottos of my predecessor, Sheriff Greg White, that is ingrained into our department is, "We do our job, we do it to the best of our ability and we let the consequences fall where they may.' We have demonstrated this time and time again on difficult and high-profile cases over the past years."
Wheeler noted in the last three years his department has had balanced budgets.
On the matter of being transparent, Wheeler pointed out the department is using body and vehicle cameras and said they are "very vital for the transparency of our staff and the public we serve."
Wheeler also said he wants to continue to build on relationships he has developed with other local law enforcement agencies such as the Jefferson City and Lincoln University police departments, Missouri Highway Patrol and Cole County Prosecutor's Office.
"Law enforcement is a team sport, and we need everybody involved to participate," Wheeler said. "By continually working together, we provide a more consistent and higher quality service to the citizens."
Other Cole County offices up for election in 2020 include Eastern District commissioner, Western District commissioner, assessor, public administrator and treasurer.
Voters will also choose who will fill two circuit court judge positions, along with who will fill the newly created second associate circuit judge position.
Filing for countywide offices in 2020 officially opens Tuesday and ends March 31. The primary election will be Aug. 4, and the general election will be Nov. 3.