The 2026 election in Trigg County is beginning to take shape after Mike Sandbrink announced his candidacy for sheriff Thursday evening.
Sandbrink, who ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign against incumbent Aaron Acree in 2022, made his announcement during the monthly meeting of the Trigg County Republican Party.
He told Your News Edge that there has been an “overwhelming outpouring of support to run.”
Sandbrink added that this will be a different race than the one he ran three years ago.
Citing what he deemed much-needed changes, Sandbrink shared why he decided to run.
When asked by Your News Edge if the sheriff’s position is more administrative or if the person holding the role should be actively patrolling, Sandbrink stated that a mix is important.
During Sandbrink’s announcement, Sheriff Acree was in attendance for the monthly meeting. Afterward, Acree confirmed to Your News Edge that he will seek another term in 2026 and plans to make an official announcement next week.
Sandbrink was fired by Sheriff Acree in 2022. Not long afterward, Sandbrink and Michelle Kent jointly filed a lawsuit in Trigg County Circuit Court.
According to the lawsuit, which represents just one side of the issue, both were suspended by Sheriff Aaron Acree after they reported alleged violations of state and federal law to the FBI on March 11, 2022. The report reportedly included allegations of improper sexual conduct by the sheriff while on duty. The FBI later referred the matter to the Kentucky State Police. The Kentucky Attorney General later appointed Todd County Attorney Jeff Traughber as a special prosecutor for the case.
After more than three years, the case is still not resolved.
Sandbrink retired from the Hopkinsville Police Department in 2020 and was hired as second in command for the sheriff’s office when Acree was appointed sheriff by Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander in August 2020.
