(KAIR)--A third candidate has entered the race for Atchison County Sheriff.

According to Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, Adam Potts has filed by petition as a Republican. The petition has been verified.
Potts is challenging Republican incumbent Jack Laurie who has already filed to seek another term in the position he’s held since being elected in 2012.
Laurie gained the role of Sheriff after defeating John Calhoon, who was seeking a fifth term in the position he’d held since 1994. Calhoon is seeking to unseat Laurie, filing in March to regain the role as a Democrat.

Potts, a lifetime resident of Atchison County, has a law enforcement and military background. According to a news release, he has served over 16-years in local law enforcement, primarily working as a Deputy for the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office.

He is also a former employee of the Horton Police Department, and currently serves as Patrolman for the Sac and Fox Tribal Police.
Potts also served 10 years in the Kansas Army National Guard as a commissioned officer, leaving at the rank of Captain in 2016.
Saying he is “very honored by the amount of support and encouragement [he has] already received from the residents of Atchison County,” Potts, in the release, said he would “bring a fresh perspective and ideals to enact progress” to the Sheriff’s Office.

Candidates have until noon, June 1 to file.

The 2020 primary election is set for August 4, while the general election will be held November 3.
 

Media Release: 050720.1

Sponsored by Adam Potts for Sheriff,

Kim Bottorff Treasurer

I would like to proudly announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Atchison County. My decision to seek election is one that is not taken lightly and is one that I make with great reverence. I was born and raised in rural Atchison County and I have devoted a majority, over 16 years, of my adulthood serving the community as a law enforcement officer. Most of this time has been as a Deputy for the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office. I proudly served 10 years in the Kansas Army National Guard as a commissioned officer. I gained a great deal of formally trained leadership experience in the role.

I have a vested interest in the safety and security of those in the numerous communities and rural areas of Atchison county. I hope to give the citizens of Atchison County, including the City of Atchison, a feeling of security and respect with the Sheriff’s Office. I hope to further the efforts of law enforcement, and first responders overall, so that there is a more effective and trustworthy relationship between the community and those serving the community.

The tides of law enforcement have, and will always, change. This requires changes within law enforcement and the way law enforcement interacts with the citizens they serve, as well as the other emergency services in our great county. I encourage every person to talk with others in their communities and see how they currently feel about the state of the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office. Look at the fact that it is no secret that the current administration has struggled to maintain relationships with local and surrounding emergency services. It is also evident that relationships with area communities and organizations have been strained as well. Ask yourself what you would like to see for our county from the Sheriff’s office.

I am very honored by the amount of support and encouragement I have already received from the residents of Atchison County. That, combined with the overwhelming support of members of the first responder organizations that I have worked alongside, furthered my motivation in seeking election to the office.

I feel that I bring with me the experience, the leadership ability, the knowledge, and the respect of Atchison County to lead the office. I also bring a fresh perspective and ideals to enact progress to the office of the Sheriff.

Sheriff Candidate

Adam R. Potts