Lonoke County, Ark. – In the November 5 general election, voters chose independent candidate Larry Behnke as the new sheriff of Lonoke County. The Arkansas Secretary of State confirmed that, with 100% of precincts reported, Behnke earned 12,053 votes, representing 54.21% of the total, while Republican Aaron Spencer garnered 10,182 votes, or 45.79%.
Candidate backgrounds
Aaron Spencer, an Army veteran who has lived in Lonoke County for roughly two decades, ran on a platform of restoring public trust in law enforcement and increasing accountability among public officials. He also advocated for a specialized unit to investigate sexual assaults and crimes against children. Spencer previously defeated incumbent Sheriff John Staley and David Bufford in the March Republican primary, capturing about 53.5% of that vote.
Larry Behnke entered the race as an independent. He is a retired law‑enforcement officer with nearly thirty years of experience, including patrol, SWAT, and training assignments in the North Little Rock area. Behnke also served on an international police mission in Kosovo and worked as a U.S. State Department security contractor in Baghdad. His campaign emphasized training, ethics, integrity and respect within the sheriff’s office, and called for effective jail rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing repeat offenses and enhancing public safety.
Controversy surrounding Spencer
Spencer’s campaign attracted national attention due to a criminal case stemming from the October 2024 shooting death of Michael Fosler. Spencer was initially charged after his daughter was found in Fosler’s vehicle, but a judge later dismissed the murder charge with prejudice, citing mishandled evidence by a sheriff’s deputy. The dismissal and the surrounding circumstances were a focal point of scrutiny during Spencer’s campaign.
Implications for Lonoke County
Behnke’s victory signals a shift toward an independent voice leading the county’s law‑enforcement agency. His emphasis on professional training and rehabilitation aligns with community concerns about safety and recidivism. County officials and local residents will now watch how the new sheriff implements his proposed reforms, particularly the jail rehabilitation initiatives that aim to lower repeat offenses.
The election also underscores the competitive nature of local races in Arkansas, where independent candidates can succeed against party‑affiliated opponents when they present a clear record of public service and a vision that resonates with voters.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
