COLUMBUS, Ohio — There are eight days to go until the presidential primary election in Ohio and several local races will also appear on the ballot, including a race in Hocking County that is getting heated.
Former Hocking County Sheriff Chief Deputy Caleb Moritz, who was indicted by a grand jury last year, is running against longtime sheriff Lanny North.
North has held the position for 23 years said he wants to continue serving the people in Hocking County. The other candidate, Moritz, said while he learned from North, it's time for a change.
“I think the biggest issue is just all the corruption and the turmoil in the county,” Moritz said.
Last July, Moritz resigned as chief deputy from the Hocking County Sheriff's Office. A grand jury then indicted him on charges including two counts of intimidation of a witness and one count of theft in office.
His case is still under investigation, but the indictment said the intimidation happened back in September and October of 2022. The theft in the office happened on April 17 when investigators searched Moritz's home and found sheriff's office property.
His trial isn't scheduled until after the primary.
Moritz claims he is innocent and has done nothing wrong. He argues he would best serve the people in the county.
“To restore honor, integrity and transparency to the office. That is a huge thing that the voters see right now. There have been a lot of integrity issues with the sheriff's office that have come to light,” Mortiz said.
The two men who once worked closely together, are now competitors, vying for the same job.
“I've never been indicted, my record is unblemished over 23 plus years. I think if they consider my record and what I have done so far and what he has done. I think they will make the best decision,” North said.
North said in his more than two decades, he has grown the office from 18 to more than 40, and has added school resources officers to every school in the county.
“I'm always looking at innovative ways to meet the public's needs. I keep the staff well-educated,” North argued.
He said he's running for another term to continue growing the office and working on a new jail for the county.
The sheriff's office investigated Moritz and North said he is limited about what he can say about the pending charges, but said voters should take the case into consideration while at the ballot box.
“They need to know that this investigation is not over. It continues and I anticipate more charges in the future at the primary,” North said.