All of the above?

So I will have a challenge this week as we prepare a series profiling the five candidates running for the position of Martin County Sheriff.

Interviewing candidates is a daunting task when we want to address all the issues the position faces, and see the facts through the public relations/campaigning slants. This can be tough with just two candidates, so with five... Well, it's kind of overwhelming.

Then there's the inevitable question: So who would you vote for? A friend asked me that the other day, thinking I had to have some secret pass or information. The truth is - I really don't know. Before this race, I feel I had a good professional rapport with all of these officers. And as I prepare to write the professional profiles on each candidate this week, I have not ruled any of the five men out.  And it's going to be tough all the way up to Aug. 10 when I walk to the voting booth. Then we'll get the same thing with the final two candidates in November.

What I've been most impressed with is that all the men running appear to have the utmost respect for their opponents, and I certainly hope all will keep their words of having a "clean" and "positive" campaign.

Good luck, guys!