Former Jeffersonville police chief Kenny Kavanaugh has filed to run for Clark County sheriff as a Republican.
He will challenge Republican incumbent Scottie Maples, who was first elected in 2022 and is seeking a second term, in the May primary.
Kavanaugh, who led the Jeffersonville Police Department for more than a decade before his unexpected departure from the role last year, announced his candidacy Friday, the deadline for major party candidates to file for the primary. He remains with the department as a captain.
In a news release, Kavanaugh said new leadership would bring a fresh perspective to the sheriff’s office.
He said filing for office was “first an honor and secondly a commitment that carries the willingness to serve. The passion is from the heart to meet the expectations of the people of Clark County.”
Maples has worked with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years. His current term followed the tenure of former Sheriff Jamey Noel, who was the subject of a wide-ranging Indiana State Police investigation and is now serving prison sentences for more than two dozen felony convictions.
During that investigation, Maples told LPM News that after taking office, his administration uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity by Noel and turned it over to state police.
In a social media post announcing his candidacy, Maples said it had been an honor to lead the department over the past three years, citing efforts to restore professionalism, rebuild trust, and modernize the office through significant technological upgrades.
According to information from the Clark County Clerk’s office website, five candidates filed to run for sheriff by the Friday deadline. Maples and Kavanaugh filed as Republicans, while Ed Byers, Tim Deeringer, and Dwight Ingle filed as Democrats. Byers previously ran unsuccessfully against Maples in the 2022 general election.
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