County

Sheriff, Clark County

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The sheriff runs the county jail and provides police patrols, especially outside city and town limits.

Candidates Compare by issue

Kenny Kavanaugh, Jr.

Republican

Jeffersonville Police Department patrol commander

The gist

Proposes reorganizing and streamlining the sheriff’s department
Supports “21st century” and intelligence-led policing
Proposes more jail programming to reduce recidivism
Pledges open public meetings of the police merit commission

More about Kenny

View sources (1)

Proposes reorganizing and streamlining the sheriff’s department
Republican incumbent faces challenger in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“Kavanaugh said that one of the aspects he would immediately look at is the organization of the department.”
Supports “21st century” and intelligence-led policing
Republican incumbent faces challenger in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“Kavanaugh also said he wants to implement “21st century policing” into the sheriff’s department.”
Proposes more jail programming to reduce recidivism
Republican incumbent faces challenger in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“he is interested at what level of programming can be introduced to the inmates to start to affect recidivism”
Pledges open public meetings of the police merit commission
Republican incumbent faces challenger in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“He said this includes being open and transparent with the public through meetings.”

Tim Deeringer

Democratic

Former Jeffersonville police chief; small-business owner

The gist

Proposes yearly public financial audits of the sheriff’s department
Pledges community policing and an open-door policy
Proposes more officer training for mental health calls
Pledges interview-based hiring with no promised jobs

More about Tim

View sources (1)

Proposes yearly public financial audits of the sheriff’s department
Two candidates seek Democratic nod in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“Deeringer also said he would like to conduct a financial audit on the department every year for the public to access.”
Pledges community policing and an open-door policy
Two candidates seek Democratic nod in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“I’m gonna be a sheriff for everyone. I’ll have an open door policy,”
Proposes more officer training for mental health calls
Two candidates seek Democratic nod in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“he would also implement more training on how to properly deal with community members that may be going through mental health issues”
Pledges interview-based hiring with no promised jobs
Two candidates seek Democratic nod in Clark County sheriff primary
News coverage · News and Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · newsandtribune.com
“He said he will not promise anyone any jobs, and conduct interviews to determine the best people for the job.”

Dwight T Ingle

Independent

Retired Clarksville police chief

The gist

Pledges to reopen two unsolved county homicide cases
Pledges to donate his take-home salary to charity

More about Dwight

View sources (1)

Pledges to reopen two unsolved county homicide cases
2022 PRIMARY: Clark County Sheriff, Democrat
Candidate questionnaire · News and Tribune · Apr 8, 2022 · newsandtribune.com
“If elected, I want to reopen two homicide investigations that occurred in the county.”
Pledges to donate his take-home salary to charity
2022 PRIMARY: Clark County Sheriff, Democrat
Candidate questionnaire · News and Tribune · Apr 8, 2022 · newsandtribune.com
“if elected, the take-home salary will be donated to children’s hospitals and St. Jude”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 4 issues covered in this race.