FARMINGTON — When you're running for county office, it's nice to get support across the county.
Bountiful police Lt. Sol Oberg, who is running for Davis County sheriff, got that support publicly Monday from the mayors of Davis County's largest cities.
In the plaza next to the Davis County Sheriff's Office, Layton Mayor Steve Curtis and Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson endorsed Oberg during this year's election.
Three-term Davis County Sheriff Bud Cox isn't running for re-election, and Oberg and Davis sheriff's Sgt. Todd Richardson have stepped up as candidates.
Campaigns are just getting off the ground prior to the official filing deadline of March 19 and the Davis County Republican Convention April 10.
Curtis said he has known Oberg nearly all of Oberg's life and lived two houses apart when Oberg was growing up.
Curtis said Oberg upholds the ideals Davis County residents expect in a sheriff and said Oberg understands budget constraints and dedication to the community and employees.
"This position needs someone who contains the highest point of integrity possible," Curtis said.
Johnson, who is in his third term as mayor of Bountiful, said he can't think of another man he would trust more than Oberg.
"Eight years ago, I didn't know much about police department other than I didn't want them to pick me up," Johnson joked.
He said he's seen Oberg rise up in leadership in the Bountiful Police Department and expects him to work for better partnerships between Davis County, local police departments and the cities in Davis County.
Richardson has been endorsed by Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.
If elected, Richardson said, he will implement sensible and fiscally responsible changes to the way the department does business.
He also promises fiscal responsibility and efficient leadership.
Oberg, who is working on a master's degree in public administration, said he has the skills, knowledge, education and experience to be an effective sheriff.
If elected, he said, he plans to re-evaluate the services provided by the sheriff's office to look for efficiencies with the Davis County Health Department, dispatch, probation and parole officers and the county jail.
Both candidates have launched Web sites.
More information about Oberg is available at www.ObergForDavisCounty.com.
More information about Richardson is available at www.DavisCountySheriff.com.
e-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com
twitter: desnewsdavis