In the race for Washoe County sheriff, the campaigning is heating up between current Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek and long-time Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen.
For Face the State this week, I sat down with both candidates to hear about the issues they are campaigning on and why they think they deserve your vote.
"I'm second in command now, and I look at this as I'm sort of like the vice president, just trying to step into the president's role,” says Kuzanek.
Allen adds, "I was just looking at a way of continuing my service to the community in a different capacity."
In the interview-- we discussed their platforms, their positions on gun laws and whether they think local law enforcement should use military grade weapons.
Both candidates have more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement so the question comes down to this--would voters prefer the candidate with experience in the sheriff's office or do they want a fresh eye?
I asked Allen if he thought his lack of experience in this specific department would put him at a disadvantage.
"I believe with my people skills, with my connections to the community and the trust and the rapport that I've established as a spokesperson, not only for my agency, but with the Air National Guard, my breadth of experience, makes me a very viable candidate for this office."
On the other side of the coin, I asked Kuzanek if a fresh eye could benefit the sheriff's office. He said in short... 'no.'
"This is an enormous operation and trying to learn the nuances, the informal rules as well as the formal rules and policies of an agency this large, would be an enormous undertaking."
To see the full interview, tune in or set your DVR for Face the State this weekend. It's airing Saturday at 4:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. - and again on Sunday at 2:30 and 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
