Brad Sandefur, a Libertarian, is running for Cook County sheriff in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Thomas J. Dart, a Democrat, is also a candidate in the race.

Asked why he is seeking the office, Sandefur said in our questionnaire: "Department morale is lower than ever. The department has more deputies injured on duty than ever before. … We need to reduce recidivism without creating more victims. … I want to rebuild police legitimacy and public trust in law enforcement."

Candidate information

Occupation and work history: "Deputy Sheriff-Sergeant with the Cook County Sheriff's Office. 37 years with the Sheriff's Office. Former U.S. Marine. 47 years in law enforcement," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Education: "I received a Master's degree in Criminal Justice with a cognate in Forensic Psychology. Graduated with 'High Honors" and a perfect GPA from Liberty University. … I earned my Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS)in Criminal Justice from Roosevelt University, graduating with honors and a 3.97 GPA. I also graduated with Honors from Oakton Community College, earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement … I have also trained with the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Family: "I have been married for 36 years. I have three daughters, all mentally or physically disabled, and one son, who is also my grandson, whom I adopted and have raised since birth. He suffers from autism and cerebral palsy," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Party affiliation: "I am a Conservative Libertarian and am the Libertarian Party-endorsed candidate. I am also affiliated with and endorsed by the Independence party," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Previous elected or appointed office: "I have never held an elected or appointed office," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

According to his Libertarian Party profile, Sandefur has served as an investigator, academy instructor, and instructor in the Crime Awareness and Officer Friendly programs at the Cook County Sheriff's Department. BallotReady profile data lists his roles as deputy sheriff and sergeant starting in 1990 and sergeant-transportation shift commander starting in 2013. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as military police-corrections from 1980 to 1981.

On the issues

Critical differences from other candidates: "I would be the first sheriff to work for the department from the ground up. … I have done the job, made the decisions, taken the risks, and gone through the training. I am a certified police officer, correctional officer, tactical officer, and academy instructor. … I have 30 years of supervisory experience and 17 years as a shift commander," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Mental health crisis response: Asked what specific step he would take to improve how deputies respond to mental health crisis calls, Sandefur said in our questionnaire: "Ensure everyone is trained and certified in Crisis Intervention Training. I would have a degree of RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) training incorporated with some training in how the brain works and develops to create a better understanding of why young people, low-IQ people, addicted brains, and developmentally challenged individuals tend to think and react to stimuli, to develop a better understanding of their social skills and communication difficulties."

Sandefur also said in our questionnaire: "A reduction in arrests of developmentally challenged, low-IQ individuals, etc., for relatively minor acts such as Obstruction, Resisting Arrest, or similar charges, in combination with an increase in more appropriate residential/treatment placement, could be the measuring stick."

Other policy positions: According to his BallotReady profile, Sandefur supports modifying the Pretrial Fairness Act, streamlining discharge procedures for people ordered released from sheriff's custody, expanding residential psychiatric facilities, creating mental health diversion programs without an arrest record, longer-stay drug rehabilitation programs, revamping the Sheriff's Merit Board and improving pre-hire investigations.

Best advice: "Let God lead and pay attention to the little things," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.