Former Secret Service Officer Announces Bid Against Sheriff Gahler

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A former Secret Service officer has announced he is running for the office of Harford County sheriff as a Republican, as is a veteran and former law enforcement officer as a Democrat.

Republican candidate Keith Runk announced his candidacy recently. He told The Baltimore Sun that the tensions between current Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler and County Executive Bob Cassilly over the past three years prompted his decision. He stated on his Instagram page that, "This is not about politics, this is about policing. Time for a change."

“I know I am in a political arena, but I am getting elected to be a policeman — not to get in depth in the politics,” Runk told The Baltimore Sun. “People are tired of the way the fighting has been going, and they want a change but haven’t been given the opportunity because [Gahler] has run unopposed. I am offering that change.”

The Republican candidate will be running against Gahler, also a Republican, in the June primary for the office.

Terrence Rogers has filed to run for the office of sheriff as the Democratic candidate. According to his official website, Rogers is a veteran, former law enforcement officer and pastor of a local Baptist church. He graduated from Duke University and Alderson Broaddus University.

Rogers' website says he is "committed to putting the people of Harford County first—above politics, above personal ambition and above party—ensuring that safety, accountability and compassion work hand in hand for every community he serves."