Another candidate has joined the race for Montgomery County Sheriff in 2018.

Mark Brazel, a 22-year veteran of law enforcement, has announced his candidacy for the position, joining current Montgomery County Undersheriff Rick Robbins and Deputy Scott Woods. Brazel started as a telecommunicator for the city of Litchfield in 1995. He graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute in 1996, and became a Litchfield Police Officer thereafter. He was hired as a deputy for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in May, 2001.

He says he is grateful to former Litchfield Police Chief John Thull for his start in law enforcement, and to current Montgomery County Sheriff Jim Vazzi for furthering his law enforcement career.

Brazel has been active in the community, serving as a Montgomery County CPR Instructor, a former volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician. He also founded the popular Litchfield Picker's market and - along with his wife - started the Christmas toy drive, bringing law enforcement officers together to proivde toys for children across the county.

He and his wife, Selena, have three children, Ceara, Adam and Hannah.