Darrell Todd Maurina
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2023 7:30 am

Pulaski County now has two declared candidates running for sheriff. Rex Larson, a school resource officer in the Laquey School District and former Pulaski County deputy, announced yesterday. Stacy Ball, a current deputy and an undercover drug task force member, has a kickoff rally today at the Hampton Inn St Robert/Fort Leonard Wood.

The sheriff election isn't this April when voters will select city council and school board members, and won't be until next year. Both sheriff candidates are Republicans and in recent years no Democrats have even filed for most Pulaski County offices, so the election will most likely be decided in the August 2024 Republican primary though finalized in the November general election.

In his announcement yesterday, Larson took aim at what he said was a lack of "effective leadership at the top" and said he was "not a party animal."

"Our sheriff's department is receiving more tax dollars than they ever have before, although most would not say that we are getting a great deal," Larson said in his announcement, noting that he isn't blaming the deputies, but the leadership. "I'll treat the deputies and the citizens of this county with the respect that they deserve. I'm tough on crime and I will get the job done."

The event for Stacy Ball begins at 1 p.m. with a silent auction and refreshments and a meet-and-greet. His announcement speech will begin at 2:30 p.m. with questions taken from the audience; the event closes at 4 p.m.

Ball's event was originally scheduled for the St Robert Community Center but moved to the Hampton Inn because of a scheduling conflict.