Eight men are running to become the next sheriff, once Turner steps down after 12 years on the job. Voters have more than enough options to choose from.

Four Republicans, three Democrats and one man with no party affiliation are hoping to replace the Democratic Sheriff Turner. Six are former or current Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office employees, but all have different visions on what needs to be done.

In the Republican primary, Daniel "Charlie" Caulk (R) has been working as a Florida Highway Patrol trooper for almost nine years--the last several in a special unit to intercept illegal drugs. He wants to use his background to increase the public's safety and protect property. For more information you can look at the Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections website at www.votegilchrist.com.

Larry Roberts (R) spent 14 years with state agenices as a transportation officer and investigator, retiring in 1988 and running for sheriff unsuccessfully several times since. He wants to make a more responsive and responsible sheriff's office, cut down on the number of crimes against people and property and address the drug problem by focusing on schools.

Daniel Slaughter (R) has a more than 20-year career in law enforcement, most recently serving as the Lieutenant Commander of Investigations in Gilchrist County. He wants to maintain services at the current level despite tough economic times, be more pro-active in fighting drugs, and better the relationship with the county commission. For more information, you can look at his website at www.slaughter4sheriff.com.

William "Billy" Smith Jr. (R) points to his years of administrative experience, the last five as the Trenton Police Chief. He wants to put more deputies on the road by restructuring administrative staff and fix the relationship with the county commissioners. For more information, you can look at his website at www.billysmithforsheriff.com.

In the Democrat primary, Tony Cruse (D) is a 12-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, currently serving as the Captain and Patrol Commander. He wants to put more resources after drug enforcement and target drug dealers, get more involved in neighborhoods and communities and communicate better with the county commission. For more information, you can look at his website at www.cruseforgilchristsheriff.com

Bryant Frye (D) spent more than a decade with the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office and is currently employed in the private sector selling law enforcement products, like tazers. He wants to build partnerships with not just the county commissioners, but the other constitutional officers and the community as a whole, as well as focus more on drug enforcement. For more infomation, you can look at his website at www.fryeforsheriff.com.

Robert Roux Jr. is a 21-year veteran with Florida Highway Patrol. He wants to improve coverage to citizens by dividing the county into zones, and work on the drug problem. For more infomation, you can look at his website at www.rouxforsheriff.com

Robert Willis (NPA) is the lone candidate with no party affiliation because he doesn't think the office of sheriff should be a partisan post. He resigned as an Assistant State Attorney to run for sheriff and wants to make the office more efficient and deputies more aware of law changes to make cases rock-solid for prosecutors.

Voters will select one Democrat and one Republican in the August 26th primary. The two will be joined by Robert Willis in the general election November 4th.