2 candidates are tracked for Lonoke County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Aaron Spencer and Larry Behnke. Candidate information follows official Lonoke County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Republican Aaron Spencer won a three-way primary with 5,430 votes (53.53%) over incumbent John Staley (26.53%) and David Bufford (19.94%), per the Lonoke County Election Commission's official canvass. Democratic nominee Brian Mitchell Sr. withdrew from the race on July 16, 2026, citing health issues and a newborn child, and will not appear on the ballot, per KARK; the November race is Spencer versus independent Larry Behnke.
Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.
This race. Every voter in Lonoke County votes on this seat.
Arkansas › Lonoke County › Lonoke County Sheriff
Republican
Per the campaign site.
Spencer is an Airborne veteran who has lived in Lonoke County for 20 years with his wife and two children, per his campaign site.
Independent
Per the campaign site.
Behnke is a retired North Little Rock-area police officer with nearly three decades of law enforcement service, including patrol, SWAT and training roles, per his campaign site. He also served on a 2002-2003 international police mission to Kosovo and as a U.S. State Department security contractor in Baghdad in 2004-2005.
Who is running for Lonoke County Sheriff in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Lonoke County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Aaron Spencer and Larry Behnke. Candidate information follows official Lonoke County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Lonoke County Sheriff election in Arkansas?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Arkansas are on the Arkansas election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Lonoke County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Lonoke County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Arkansas election office, or see the full Lonoke County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
24 tracked races in Lonoke County, Arkansas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.