The local chapter of Yavapai County’s Conservatives for a Constitutional Republic (ConCR) has announced that their next meeting, this Saturday at 11:15AM, will be a candidate forum for the position of Yavapai County Sheriff. Sheriff David Rhodes who is running for reelection and challenger, Douglas Eckenrod have both accepted invitations to speak. The meeting is free and open to the public but seating is limited. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP at concr2018@gmail.com
Sheriff Rhodes was elected Yavapai County Sheriff in November 2020, following 27 years of service to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO). From 2016 until taking office in January 2021, he served as Chief Deputy County Sheriff. Sheriff Rhodes worked his way through the ranks as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Chief Deputy before running unopposed for County Sheriff. He has continued a long tradition in Yavapai County of selecting leadership from within the ranks of the office. Former Sheriffs Buck Buchanan (1989-2004), Steve Waugh (2004-2011), Scott Mascher (2011-2020), and now David Rhodes were all veterans of the YCSO before their election to the top job.
In addition to his long tenue in the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Rhodes has extensive formal training in law enforcement. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has served as the Commander of both the Law Enforcement Division of YCSO and the County Detention facility in the Verde Valley. He has also served as the Commander of the Northern Arizona Training Academy. Sheriff Rhodes will address current law enforcement issues facing the county and his interest in another term as Yavapai County Sheriff.
Challenger Doug Eckenrod is a long serving law enforcement official from California. Over his career, Mr. Eckenrod has held both supervisory and senior level policy positions in California’s correctional system. He has extensive experience with programs designed to reduce recidivism, provide treatment and rehabilitation, and preparing incarcerated individuals for re-entry.
Mr. Eckenrod supports evidence based criminal justice reform. He has been critical of the excessive cost of Yavapai County’s new $70M Justice Center. His candidate website discusses the need to better allocate resources within the sheriff’s office to meet staffing shortfalls without raising taxes. He has published a number of articles on criminal justice issues and corrections policy for the Epoch Times.
In recent months both Sheriff Rhodes and Mr. Eckenrod have participated in recorded interviews at Prescott eNews outlining their vision for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Rhodes interview is HERE, and Doug Eckenrod’s interview can be found HERE
The Yavapai County Chapter of Conservatives for a Constitutional Republic is a group of conservative activists dedicated to defending and promoting the values of representative government as set forth in the United States Constitution. They are a private organization and not directly affiliated with a political party. However, most members are registered Republicans or conservative leaning Independents who are civically engaged or are current or former elected officials or candidates for office. During this election year, President Dutton has scheduled candidates for all top level state and national offices to address the group.
ConCR meets monthly at the Bible Baptist Church, 3490 N. State Road 89, in Chino Valley. Recent speakers include Congressman Eli Crane, current CD-8 Candidate Abe Hamadah, LD1 Senate Candidates Ken Bennett and Steve Zipperman, and and many other prominent conservative figures and candidates for office.
ConCR is a membership organization. However, in the interest of informing voters about important issues and candidates, the appearances of guest speakers of high public interest are open to the public. All those wishing to meet the candidates for Yavapai County Sheriff, and learn about current law enforcement issues facing the county are cordially invited to attend. Time permitting, the candidates will stand for questions from the audience.
Doors open at 11:00AM. The meeting will begin promptly at 11:15Am. RSVP’s are requested and should be addressed to concr2018@gmail.com
