WARREN COUNTY – Mark Butler, the first person to declare candidacy for the 2019 Warren County Sheriff’s race, on Tuesday announced that he is running as an Independent. The Army veteran, with nearly 30 years of police experience, cited the need to be true to his moral and ethical standards, and to his belief that the Sheriff should not be affiliated with a political party, but with every single individual in Warren County, as the reason for his decision.
He says that in late 2017, after being encouraged to run for Sheriff by several Warren County citizens, he began meeting with civic groups, citizens and local organizations to explore whether he should run. Butler decided that he would run for Sheriff and began exploring whether he should seek a party nomination.
Butler, a conservative Republican says he originally began exploring the local Republican Party, but also met with Democratic Party representatives and spoke with hundreds of local citizens. Mark has always been steadfast in his belief that the Sheriff should represent every individual in the County – not a party. The position of Warren County Sheriff is just that –of Warren County–meaning each and every person in the County shall be represented, supported and protected equally.
Butler, currently a Herndon, Va. Police Department officer, stated, “I am meeting with as many residents of Warren County as I can to hear what they have to say, what they are looking for and when elected I intend to continue listening to what the people have to say. I will work with them, and educate as many groups as possible, to bring change to Warren County, decrease crime, eliminate the opioid crisis and increase awareness.”
Butler further stated, “If you do not educate the deputies, schools, churches, seniors and youth to the best of your ability and provide them with the education and tools to protect themselves by recognizing the criminal element, you cannot expect to effect change and properly serve and protect the citizens of Warren County.”
Butler stated in a media release Tuesday he is not seeking the position of Sheriff of Warren County to serve himself, but to serve the citizens. He further stated he stands “for the people, not the party.”
Butler says he has included the citizens with whom he has met and their perspective into his campaign slogan “WE can make the difference”. He believes it takes everyone joining together to effect change, not one individual.
The release states, “After over six months of meeting with the parties, attending civic organization meetings and meeting with Warren County citizens, Mark feels it is to his moral and ethical standards that he must be true, to his strong belief that the position of Sheriff should not be affiliated with a single party, but with every single individual within Warren County.”
Warren County Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron announced August 1 that he would not seek a fifth term to office in the 2019 Election. He was first elected in 2003 and took office in January 2004.
Jason Poe, a former Warren County Sheriff’s Department deputy, and current Winchester Police Department officer announced his candidacy on Aug. 2. Retired Warren County Deputy Michael “Mickey” Licklider, who has worked security part-time at the Warren County Courthouse for the last six years, announced his candidacy on Aug. 28.
To learn more about Mark Butler’s campaign, visit his website.
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