2018 Ellis County Sheriff GOP Candidate Questionnaire responses

Left: Charles E "Chuck" Edge. Right: Charlie Daniels.

ELLIS COUNTY — Learn more about the candidates running for Ellis County Sheriff in their own words. The two candidates vying for the position answered a comprehensive questionnaire presented by Ellis County Citizen.

Voters will take to the polls on March 6, 2018 to cast a ballot for their preferred choice. Charles E "Chuck" Edge is facing Charlie Daniels.

Election day voting will be held on March 6, 2018 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here for a list of election day polling locations. Early voting will take place February 20, 2018 through March 2, 2018. Click here for a list of early voting locations and times.

Get to know each candidate by reviewing their responses to several questions posed by Ellis County Citizen. Compare the responses of each candidate to each question below or click on a candidate's name above to view an individual candidate's responses to all questions on one page. The candidates' names are in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

Ellis County Citizen endorses Charles E "Chuck" Edge in the 2018 Republican Primary.

Candidate Questionnaire Responses

1) What is your current age?

2) What is your city of residence?

3) How many years have you lived in Ellis County?

4) Tell us a little about your family.

5) Describe your education.

6) What public office experience do you have?

7) What is your occupation?

8) Describe your church and civic involvement.

9) Please provide a biographical narrative.

10) What motivated your interest in running for Sheriff in Ellis County?

11) Briefly and succinctly define the job responsibilities of the office you are seeking.

12) What qualifications and professional experiences do you possess that are applicable to law enforcement responsibilities the position you are seeking requires? Be specific.

13) What qualifications do you possess that will enable you to manage a budget of over $9 million for the Sheriff’s Office and over $11 million for jail operations? Be specific.

14) Identify some areas in the sheriff’s department budget where money could be cut and others where more funding is needed.

15) How has your education and professional experience prepared you for this office?

16) Have you declared bankruptcy or have had any liens placed upon you in the past 10 years? If so, please explain.

17) What distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?

18) Is there any additional training that you plan to seek to assist you in the duties of Sheriff?

19) How do you rate the current functioning of the Sheriff’s Office? What’s good? What’s not so good and needs improvement?

20) What are the three greatest challenges facing Ellis County related to the position you are seeking? If elected, what measures would you propose to resolve them?

21) If elected, what are your top three priorities? How will you work with other elected officials and county staff to achieve them? Be specific.

22) If elected, what is the number one change you hope to overcome in the Sheriff’s Office or jail? Please explain.

23) What in your record as a public official or other experience demonstrates your ability to be effective on the issues you’ve identified? Please be as specific as possible in relating past accomplishments to current goals.

24) What will happen to the current staff if you are elected Sheriff? Will there be sweeping changes, or will you retain people in leadership? Please explain.

25) What is the appropriate budget size for the Sheriff’s Office and why should the current budget be cut, remain the same or increased?

26) What is the appropriate budget size for the jail and why should the current budget be cut, remain the same or increased? Please explain.

27) Technology is constantly changing and advancing; what technological advances would you like to introduce to the Ellis County Sheriff's Department?

28) Do you support body cameras for Sheriff’s Deputies? Please explain.

29) If elected, what will you do to ensure accountability from your employees?

30) In 2013, some Ellis County elected officials were actively and aggressively looking into the possibility of privatizing jail operations at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center before the idea was rejected. What is your position on privatizing the county jail and what actions would you take to fulfill that position?

31) What resources will you use to address the mentally ill population in custody and charged with criminal offenses? What steps do you plan with mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse services?

32) When you suspect a newly admitted inmate is an undocumented immigrant, do you feel the need to report it to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement?

33) What is your position on using inmates for labor? Please explain.

34) In your opinion, what are the most important qualities that a Sheriff needs to have?

35) Where do you believe a citizen's rights come from?

36) How will you defend the right of citizens to carry firearms, as defined in the Constitution of the United States of America, and the Constitution of the State of Texas?

37) What is your opinion on asset forfeiture for individuals who have not been found guilty in a court of law?

38) Federal, state and local laws sometimes conflict with the original intent of the Constitution of the United States of America. If elected, how do you plan to enforce laws which may conflict with the Constitution of the United States of America?

39) How can the office of Sheriff best serve the citizens of the county?

40) What is your opinion on local law enforcement agencies employing military style training, equipment and tactics?

41) If elected, how will you foster an environment that ensures fair treatment of all people that are served by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office? Please provide an example.

42) If elected, how would you reach out and form relationships with residents of Ellis County and how would you reach out to those residents in the outlying areas of the county?

43) If elected, what are the factors on which you will base your decisions as Sheriff?

44) Why should voters choose you?