White County, Arkansas

White County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for White County Sheriff, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Clayton Edwards and Dusty Betts. Candidate information follows official White County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Clayton Edwards led the March 3, 2026 Republican primary with 3,825 votes (43.88%) over Jeff Williams (2,586, 29.67%) and Todd Wells (2,305, 26.45%), then won the March 31 runoff over Williams, 2,140 votes (55.5%) to 1,716 (45.5%), per the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (arkansasonline.com). Incumbent Sheriff Phillip Miller did not seek reelection. Edwards faces independent Dusty Betts in the November general election.

What this office does

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 White County votes on this seat.

Arkansas › White County › White County Sheriff

Clayton Edwards

Republican

Biography

Clayton Edwards is a military veteran of the Army National Guard with 35 years of law enforcement experience, per his campaign site. He currently serves as Jail Administrator and a Captain at the White County Sheriff's Department, and has worked as a patrol and K-9 handler, narcotics investigator, dive-team commander and firearms range master, per his campaign site. He is a graduate of the FBI Command College Arkansas Leader Program and president of the Jail Administrator Association, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Dusty Betts

Independent

Top priorities

Aggressive crime prevention and warrant enforcement
Stronger community involvement and transparency
Supporting deputies through leadership and hands-on policing

Per his candidacy announcement, Arkansas Radio, Jan. 20, 2026.

Biography

Dusty Betts owns Chase Mobile Home Services LLC, serves as a police officer for the City of Judsonia and is the elected constable for Cadron Township, per Arkansas Radio. He is a lifelong White County resident who also serves on the White County Fair Board and is president of the White County Samaritans Christmas 4 Kids group, per the same report. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.

Next on your ballotWhite County Coroner

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for White County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the White 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 White 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official White County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Arkansas election office, or see the full White County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your White County ballot

26 tracked races in White County, Arkansas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

White County Assessor White County Circuit Clerk White County Clerk See all 26 White County races

Candidate profiles

Clayton Edwards, full profile Dusty Betts, full profile Official Arkansas election office