Republican candidates Mark Webb and Gene Thomlinson are trying to give voters a reason for change. Chief Deputy Jim Arnott, who is backed by current Sheriff Jack Merritt, says he's the most experienced to handle the financial crunch that the department will continue to face in the future.

On the issue of jail overcrowding, none of the candidates would support a sales tax to pay for new space. Webb proposed a new classification system that would allow low-risk offenders to be placed outside jail space. Arnott suggested legal hurdles and said a judge would need to approve it.

The candidates also offered different approaches to how they would handle a deputy who committed a possible crime. While Arnott said the investigation could be handled internally, Webb called for an independent unit to handle the matter. Thomlinson said it would depend on the circumstance.

On holding federal prisoners for extra revenue, Thomlinson signaled that would be a policy he would continue. Webb took the policy to task, saying it forces the department to release dangerous local criminals on the street. Arnott disputed that.

"Have we ever turned anybody away from the jail? No," Arnott said.

Webb, Thomlinson and Arnott are vying to face Democratic Party candidate Mike Ramon in November. Ramon has no primary election challenge.