A former Saline County sheriff who last year announced his retirement after pleading guilty to alcohol-related charges and then twice changed his mind before stepping aside has filed to run again.
Bruce Pennington became the seventh Republican and eighth candidate overall to file for the office when he submitted his paperwork and filing fee shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, said Saline County Clerk Doug Curtis.
Pennington retired last October after pleading guilty to charges of public intoxication and refusal to submit to arrested filed after a June 29 arrest at a Benton restaurant.
He originally submitted a retirement letter before days later rescinding it, saying he would stay in office and seek reelection. But a week later, he submitted a new letter saying he'd step down after all.
Cleve Barfield, a retired Arkansas State Police major, was selected as interim sheriff after Pennington's retirement.
Other Republicans who have filed to run for sheriff so far are: Daniel Dodson, E.J. Harris, Kevin Cooper, Rodney Wright, Simon Haynes and Tim Dudderar. Rodney Goshien Sr. is running as a Democrat.