Lonoke County voters elected independent Larry Behnke as sheriff Tuesday, defeating Republican Aaron Spencer, while Republican Mike Verkler won a decisive victory over independent Toby Troutman in the race for county judge.
With all 71 precincts reporting, Behnke received 12,053 votes, or 54.21%, compared with 10,182 votes, or 45.79%, for Spencer. Behnke won by 1,871 votes, according to unofficial election results.
In the county judge race, Verkler received 14,863 votes, or 67.27%, compared with 7,233 votes, or 32.73%, for Troutman. With all 71 precincts reporting, Verkler won by 7,630 votes.
Both races were for open seats. Behnke will succeed Sheriff John Staley, while Verkler will succeed County Judge Doug Erwin, who did not seek reelection.
Sheriff’s race
Behnke, a retired law enforcement officer with extensive military and police experience, campaigned on his qualifications to manage the Sheriff’s Office and address challenges facing the department.
During an Oct. 13 candidate forum in Carlisle, Behnke discussed his career, which included service in the U.S. Army, the Sherwood Police Department, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and the North Little Rock Police Department, where he retired as a lieutenant in 2021.
His experience included investigations, supervisory positions, training officers and managing budgets and grants. He also participated in an international police mission involving human trafficking investigations.
“I’m ready to lead the department in challenging times because we have a lot of challenges,” Behnke said during the forum. “It’s not insurmountable, the challenges. We have problems in the county that we need to address, but we also should see that as an opportunity to grow and build a department that’s gonna last longer than any one sheriff candidate.”
Spencer, an Army veteran and businessman, acknowledged during the forum that he did not have a traditional law enforcement background but argued that his military and management experience prepared him to lead the department.
“I believe being sheriff isn’t about being the best cop in the department, it’s about being a good leader, ensuring that the department is doing its duty to protect your constitutional rights,” Spencer said.
Spencer’s candidacy attracted national attention following his arrest in connection with the October 2024 shooting death of Michael Fosler, who was accused of sexually abusing Spencer’s teenage daughter.
A judge dismissed the second-degree murder charge against Spencer in June, citing violations of his due process rights stemming from investigators’ handling of evidence. The judge determined that the loss of a dash camera and memory card impaired Spencer’s ability to receive a fair trial.
Spencer defeated incumbent Sheriff John Staley in the March Republican primary before facing Behnke in the general election.
County judge race
Verkler, a retired Little Rock police officer, won the county judge race with more than two-thirds of the vote.
During the Carlisle candidate forum, Verkler emphasized his 28-year career with the Little Rock Police Department, where he also represented the police union in contract negotiations.
A Lonoke County resident for more than 50 years, Verkler discussed his involvement with several organizations, including the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Arkansas State Fair Board and Arkansas Ballet.
“So I’ve had a whole life of service and that’s the reason I’m running for county judge,” Verkler said. “I want to continue to serve.”
Troutman, a businessman, developer and contractor, campaigned on concerns about transparency and accountability in county government.
He described experience managing housing developments, roads and other infrastructure projects, along with approximately 28 years working in the petroleum industry.
At the Carlisle forum, Troutman accused county government of corruption, misuse of tax money and a lack of transparency.
“I’m not part of the chaos, the corruption and turmoil that we tended to have here in our Lonoke County government for several years,” Troutman said. “I can’t promise that I can clean that up immediately if I’m elected, but I can guarantee you that I won’t contribute to the problem.”
Troutman said those concerns motivated him to seek public office for the first time.
Verkler and Behnke are scheduled to take office in January.
