Former Butler County Chief Deputy Kenny Harden announced Monday that he will seek election for the office of sheriff of Butler County on the Democratic ticket in the upcoming June primary.

Harden, who also was a former investigator with the Butler County Sheriff's Department, is currently an officer with the State Fire Marshal's Office in Montgomery. He has been involved in law enforcement at the local and state level for more than 25 years with his training and experience spanning fields from homicide to child abuse.

Harden said that he plans to make some changes within the sheriff's department if he's elected.

&#8220I pledge to put an experienced staff in place because this would ultimately save the county money,” Harden said. &#8220Second, in cooperation with other agencies, I want to launch a war on drugs. A third aspect of my campaign will be to bring the best overall system of law enforcement to the Butler County

Sheriff's Office to better serve the people of the county.”

Harden said that spending is something that needs to be looked at when it comes to the operation of the sheriff's office. He plans to establish a work-release program so that inmates can help pay for their stay in the Butler County Jail.

&#8220I also want to put inmates back on the roads to help clean up Butler County,” he said.

Harden said that he isn't going to make any promises, but one.

&#8220I will serve all the citizens of Butler County with all my heart and determination,” he said. &#8220I have served the people of this county for the last couple decades and feel that as sheriff I would be a driving force in making Butler County a safer and better place to live.”

Harden is married to the former Evelyn Farmer. They have four daughters and one son. Harden is a member of the Children's Advocacy Center Board and the local Masonic Lodge.