Slupe garners Republican nod for sheriff
A Butler Township police officer won the Republican nomination for Butler County sheriff Tuesday night.
According to the county elections bureau's unofficial results, Mike Slupe beat opponent Scott Roskovski by 778 votes.
Slupe received 7,027 votes with Roskovski netting 6,249 votes.
Slupe was happy with the results of his campaigning, citing three factors affecting voters' decision.
"Hard work, dedication and grass-roots campaigning," he said.
Roskovski, who congratulated Slupe on his victory once the results were posted, was disappointed with the loss.
"The voters spoke up," he said.
Slupe, 44, started his campaign in earnest months ago when he took a leave from the township department.
"I was able to focus my energies going door-to-door," he said.
Roskovski, who remained working as a county detective for most of the campaign, said he didn't think Slupe's leave gave him an unfair advantage.
"I don't know what to attribute it to," Roskovski said about the main factor in Slupe's victory.
Roskovski was consoled by the fact that he enjoys his duties as a detective.
"I still have a lot of work to do," he said.
During the campaign, Slupe stressed public safety would guide his decisions.
To that end, he wants to add a K-9 unit to the office. Starting with a drug dog, a bomb dog could possibly follow.
Slupe also intends to allow deputies to pull over motorists committing flagrant traffic violations.In response to the county cutting seven deputy posts this year, Slupe said he would deal with a possible manpower shortage by prioritizing tasks and justifying the need for the jobs.Before working for the township, Slupe was a police officer for Evans City and Callery boroughs, and a Butler County sheriff's deputy.During the campaign, Roskovski said he would concentrate on serving warrants.He pledged to focus on drug violators, many of whom commit other crimes such as theft to support their habit.Roskovski opposed adding a K-9 unit to the office, saying it would be too costly.He said he would deal with a possible deputy shortage by doing some of their tasks, such as transporting inmates, if he had to.Roskovski, 40, started his law enforcement career as a county sheriff's deputy.Current Sheriff Dennis Rickard is retiring at the end of the year.Democrat Roland Livermore ran unopposed. He received 5,078 votes.
