Voters Cast Ballots For Republican, Democratic Tulsa County Sheriff Candidates

<p>A lot of people are watching the race for Tulsa County Sheriff this evening.</p>

Tuesday, June 28th 2016, 6:40 pm

By: News On 6

Voters Cast Ballots For Republican, Democratic Tulsa County Sheriff Candidates

A lot of people are watching the race for Tulsa County Sheriff this evening.

The war of words between current sheriff Vic Regalado and Republican challenger Luke Sherman has been heated.

Regalado promises voters they will see a huge difference in the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, which has been plagued by corruption and scandal in the past years under former sheriff, Stanley Glanz.

Regalado said, since April, he's rearranged the department's personnel and budget, creating a better atmosphere.

He said this is a much different race than April's special election, of course, because he's had to step into the role of sheriff, all while still juggling a reelection campaign.

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"Campaigning took a huge back seat, whether that was right or wrong, for me that was right. I believe I was elected to do a job, and I did it. And I hope that resonates with citizens of Tulsa County, and we'll move forward," he said.

Sherman is Regalado's main rival.

This is his second time running for office after coming in second behind Regalado on the Republican ticket during a special.

After losing that election, he immediately announced he would run again.

Sherman said he wants to restore the trust people feel for the sheriff's office.

If elected, Sherman said he'll use his 24 years as a Tulsa police officer to move the sheriff's office in a new direction.

"I'm committed to it. I'm committed to making this community better through my services, which is law enforcement. And when there's a need, leaders step up and say it's time, it's time to not reinvent it but to reconstruct it," Sherman said.

There are also two Democratic candidates vying to compete against the Republican winner.

Rex Berry, who lost to Regalado in April, is a retired Tulsa police officer of 26 years.

He’s facing Arthur Jackson, a supervisor at the Tulsa County jail, who’s been there more than a decade.

Voters will decide between the winners of the Republican and Democratic tickets in November.