Butler County Sheriff Kenny Harden has announced that he will seek reelection.

Harden, who has worked in law enforcement at the local and state level for 36 years, will run as a Democrat.

“As I pledged in my first campaign, I have put an experienced staff in place both at the Sheriff’s Office and the (Butler County) Correctional Facility, while keeping an open and honest relationship with the public,” Harden said. “Also during this administration, we have maintained an excellent working relationship with other law enforcement agencies in this county to better serve the citizens that reside and work here.”

Harden training and experience spans from community-oriented policing to homicide investigations and working with legislators on the local and state level to establish needed changes to existing laws.

Harden said that during his tenure in office he has maintained an open door policy; established a close working relationship with the police departments in Greenville, McKenzie and Georgiana; replaced outdated equipment; spearheaded the county’s Yellow Dot and Project Lifesaver programs; and helped reduce the county’s crime rate by maintaining a full staff.

Harden also serves as the project director for the Second Judicial Drug Task Force.

“I promise to continue to serve the citizens of Butler County with all my heart and determination,” Harden said. “I have served the people of this county for a long time, and I will continue to be a driving force in making Butler County a safer and better place to live. I would appreciate your continued support and your vote.”

Harden is a member of the South-Central Mental Health Board, the National Sheriff’s Association, the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, the National Association of Chiefs of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Alabama Peace Officers Association. He is also a board member for Butler County E-911 and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He is married to the former Evelyn Farmer. The couple has four daughters and a son.

Harden, who has served as sheriff since 2006, will run against challenger Thomas Hallford.

The party primary elections are scheduled for June 3. If necessary after the primaries, runoff elections have been scheduled for July 15, with the general election to be held on Nov. 4.