Voters in Pottawattamie will play a role in determining who becomes the next Sheriff. Three Republicans are running to succeed Sheriff Jeff Danker, who has decided not to seek an eight term in office. The candidates include Chief Deputy Sheriff Rob Ambrose, Danielle Bentzinger, and Andy Brown.

Ambrose, who lives in Underwood, has over 21 years of experience in law enforcement, including a stint working as a deputy for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. While working for the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy, Ambrose was promoted to Chief Deputy, in 2018. His focus during the campaign is on the need for SRO’s (School Resource Officers) in Pottawattamie County School Districts.

A Council Bluffs native, Danielle Bentzinger is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. She was first hired to work for the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. She and her family currently live in Crescent. She says if elected, one of her top priorities will be to focus on community relations.

Andy Brown, a native of Harlan, began working in the Pottawattamie County Jail in 1999 before becoming a certified deputy in 2003. He was promoted to sergeant in 2011, and is currently the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant — overseeing employees at the courthouse campus. Brown says his passion for law enforcement came at a young age. He wants to focus on community outreach, specifically within the county’s rural areas.