photo by: Contributed Photo

Gary Bunting

Douglas County Undersheriff Gary Bunting has withdrawn from the race for Douglas County sheriff, he said Friday.

“While I feel that I could have done an outstanding job for our community, its citizens, and our employees; health and family issues take a priority over the campaign,” Bunting said via email Friday.

He is still serving as undersheriff, but he said his role in the future will have to be determined by whichever candidate is elected.

With Bunting’s withdrawal, three candidates will be on the ballot in the Democratic primary. In the order of their filing, Lt. Jay Armbrister, Deputy Dale Flory and Capt. Doug Woods, all of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, have thrown their hats into the ring. No one had filed as a Republican as of noon Friday.

The primary election will be held Aug. 4. The filing deadline is noon Monday.

Sheriff Ken McGovern, first elected as a Republican in 2004, announced last June that he will not run for reelection.