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Bustos gets nod for Rock Island County Sheriff

Rock Island County Democrats have selected Gerry Bustos to fill the ballot slot vacated by former Sheriff Jeff Boyd.

Rock Island County Democrats have selected Gerry Bustos to fill the ballot slot vacated by former Sheriff Jeff Boyd.

Members of the Rock Island County Democratic Central Committee met behind closed doors for about an hour Monday night at the Laborer's #309 Union Hall in Rock Island. The party was tasked with selecting someone to replace Boyd on the November ballot after the former sheriff resigned and dropped his re-election campaign.

Boyd stepped down on Thursday, September 11, 2014, after pleading guilty to sending harassing text messages to a woman he met at DePaepes Gym in Rock Island.

Party Chairman Doug House said that although it has been a tough week, it was not a tough decision to nominate Bustos. House said the selection was not political, and that Bustos was simply the most qualified person for the job.

Bustos is a 30-year veteran of the department and has led every division in the office. He's also married to Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.

On Friday, Bustos was sworn in as interim sheriff, and Monday, told supporters that he's excited to restore the public's trust.

"There's 184 people in the Rock Island County Sheriff's office. From myself back, 183 of them had nothing to do with this. I think the public can see that, and as we move forward, I think they will certainly realize that and support the sheriff's department fully," said Bustos.

House said two other names were thrown in for consideration -- Mitch Lee and Jeff Boyd.

Rock Island County Republicans did not file a candidate for November to begin with, so Bustos will be unopposed.

His term runs until 2018.

 

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