Douglas County sheriff seeking re-election to third term

Douglas County Sheriff Ken McGovern filed paperwork Thursday to seek a third term in office.

McGovern, of Lawrence, who has spent 30 years in law enforcement the sheriff’s office, was elected as a Republican without opposition in 2004 and won a second term in 2008 as an uncontested candidate.

A news release Thursday said McGovern plans to continue working on community programs, such as the prescription drug take-back day, Project LifeSaver and the sheriff’s citizen academy.

“There are also several major ongoing projects McGovern wants to see through to completion in a third term,” the release said. “There is a major radio system upgrade in the communications center, the transfer of all old arrest records to digital storage and the correctional facility’s successful re-entry program. He will also strive to continue to bring the sheriff’s office in under budget as he has done throughout his tenure as sheriff.”

McGovern is also expected to discuss his re-election bid at a news conference next week. Douglas County Register of Deeds Kay Pesnell, a rural Eudora Democrat, has also filed for re-election, as has Jim Flory, a Republican county commissioner. If needed, a primary election for county offices is Aug. 7. The general election is Nov. 6.