For the third time since 2000, Bob Boydston and Paul Vescovo will face each other in the race for Clay County sheriff.

Each candidate has defeated the other once on separate occasions.

Boydston, the incumbent, is seeking another four-year term. He was previously elected sheriff in 1992, 1996 and 2008.

Vescovo served as sheriff from 2001 to 2009.

Throughout the campaign, both candidates have touted their years of law enforcement experience, their longstanding ties to the community and their commitment to stem violent and property crimes in the county.

Boydston said that in recent months, investigators have successfully stopped several burglary rings. The county is relatively safe and as a result any increase in crimes would appear to be dramatic.

If he is re-elected, Boydston said he would continue to use professional standards in the office management and hiring, as well as tackle human trafficking.

Vescovo said if he is elected, he would work to improve employee morale and find ways to retain experienced deputies. Vescovo said he would modify the work schedule of field operations so deputies could spend more time on the road and target high-crime areas. Additional training and a crime analysis unit also are needed, he said.