Wendell Bradford, 47
Deltona
Seminole County sheriff's deputy
Challenger
Q. What do you see as the biggest issue for the office you are seeking?
A. There are a few issues that need to be addressed immediately within the Volusia County Sheriff's Office - budget, morale and "good ole' boy" way of doing business.
Q. What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking?
A. I have been proudly wearing a law enforcement uniform for 27 years. I served six years with the Army Reserves Field Military Police and I have more than 21 years with the Seminole County Sheriff Office.
I received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Columbia College, Mo., and my master's degree in strategic leadership from Mountain State University, W.V. Over the last 21 years I have specialized in neighborhood policing, school resource programs, domestic violence investigations, and juvenile boot camp instruction, just to mention a few.
Q. If you win, what's the first issue you will tackle?
A. There are not enough personnel and this is causing enormous amounts of overtime to be worked throughout many of the departments. The excessive overtime is costing millions of taxpayer dollars and effects personnel both physically and mentally. I will be looking at the positions that are working the most overtime and hire adequate personnel to cover the positions.
Q. If you lose, will you continue in politics?
A. I will continue my career with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office while working with the community of Volusia County.