FactFinder 12: Sheriff Candidate Ad

July 31, 2008

by Cliff Judy (WICHITA, Kan.)

He says no one else has his experience or qualifications to be the Sedgwick County Sheriff. Sedgwick County Undersheriff Bob Hinshaw is the only candidate for sheriff with TV commercials airing just days before the primary election.

This FactFinder 12 report analyzes that ad.

There are five Republicans running for Sedgwick County Sheriff. They are Mark Alexander of Via Christi security, Lt. Dal Astle of the Garden Plain Police Department, Lt. Carl Enterkin of the Bel Aire Police Department, Sedgwick County Undersheriff Bob Hinshaw, and Wichita Police Deputy Chief Robert Lee.

Hinshaw raised the most campaign money, and he's the only one with a TV commercial. The commercial doesn't present a lot of facts, just opinions on why Hinshaw believes he's the best candidate.

Hinshaw's ad plays mostly on his long career, a career entirely spent with the department he hopes to run.

"No other candidate can match Bob Hinshaw's qualifications, experience, or commitment to keeping your family safe," the ad says.

While this is a broad claim and doesn't specifically mention other candidates, we find it misleading. There are at least two other candidates who can challenge Hinshaw in qualifications and experience.

Lee is head of all WPD patrol officers, a division as large in budget size and the number of officers as the entire sheriff's department. Enterkin actually has more years in law enforcement than Hinshaw. Enterkin's career began in 1973 while Hinshaw's began in 1979.

It is fact that Hinshaw has more experience with the Segwick County Sheriff's Office than any other candidate. He has also been in charge of one of the sheriff's largest responsibilities, the jail.

Which experience and qualifications are the most important as the sheriff's race gets closer and closer? That'll be up to you, the voter.

Valley Center Police Chief Walt Kuykendall is running unopposed in next week's primary election as a Democrat.

Check out our Campaign 2008 pages to see bios on all five Republican sheriff candidates. We also asked them the same set of questions to see their stances on important issues facing the new sheriff. See their answers in the Campaign 2008 section.

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