Primary elections in the state of Indiana are on Tuesday, May 3.  Most of  the positions are uncontested; however, there are three candidates running for Carroll County sheriff. On April 13, 2022, the  Carroll County Comet published an article about the three candidates. The details are summarized below. 

Lee Hoard (Republican)

Hoard graduated from Delphi Community High School in 1964. After graduating he worked as Communications Officer (1966), Deputy Sheriff (1967), Sheriff (1989) Delphi City Mayor (2000-2007), and Indiana Department of Corrections (2008).

Hoard has been in law enforcement and criminal justice for 50 years. The concern  many people have with his running is his age and health. He countered these topics at the debate on April 7 saying how his health is great and he is capable of being sheriff. Lee W. Hoard believes that the sheriff should leave the position better than it was when he started. 

Tony Liggett (Republican)

Tony Liggett graduated from Delphi Community High School in 1990 then proceeded to get his associates degree from Ivy Tech Community College-Lafayette in Business Management in 1996. He worked for The Optical Showplace as a certified optician and owner (1992-2002), Flora Police department as a patrolman (2002-2004), and currently works as a Carroll County Deputy Sheriff (2004-present). 

Liggett said his priority, if he were to win, would be to retain staff and create bonds with local schools, such as the Law Enforcement class at Delphi Community High School. He also believes that the sheriff should lead by example. Liggett went on to say that if he were to win he would be a “working sheriff.” Tony Liggett said he is not a politician, he is a public servant. 

Mike Thomas (Republican)

Mike Thomas has worked as a chief deputy for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department (2000-present). 

Thomas commented on how if he were to win the election he would consider the safety of children to be prioritized. He also mentioned that he would focus on accountability. Thomas went on to say how they have good people, there are just issues that need to be ironed out. Mike Thomas said that if he were elected, he would make sure that Carroll County remains a good place for families. 

While among the three men there is much disagreement, they did all agree that it would be best to keep a uniformed deputy in the courthouse for security purposes, deputies should wear body cameras, and their cars should be equipped with working dash cameras and should also have working GPS units.

* Update: Election results from Tuesday, May 3

Liggett:  51.5%

Thomas:  37.1%

Hoard  11.4%

For more information on the candidates’ resumes:

https://www.ballotready.org/in-carroll-county   

For more information on the candidates’ comments during the debate: https://www.carrollcountycomet.com/articles/sheriff-candidates-do-some-sparing-at-april-7-debate/