Richard Steven Branche Sr., Daniel J. McLean Jr. and Daniel G. Zeigler are vying for one spot on the Republican ticket when voters go to the polls Tuesday.

There are no candidates on the Democratic ballot. Zeigler is the current sheriff, appointed to fill the unexpired term of Tony Harvilla when he retired.

We asked them questions related to the office. Here are their replies in alphabetical order:

Richard Branche Sr.

Town: Penn Forest

Background: I have 38 years in law enforcement, from basic law enforcement through supervisory experience. I have attended Command and control school, incident command, 20 years of firearms instructing, driver instructor, Alert active shooter and breaching instructor, Axon Taser, ALS Less lethal, OC chemical spray instructor, to name a few.

What makes you the best candidate: I have vast knowledge in writing and implementing policy and procedure, as well as budgeting and expenditures. I will use this knowledge to streamline the office, update policies and stop the revolving door of deputies leaving, deliver fiscally responsible budgets and end wasteful spending.

The biggest issue facing the office, and how you plan to address it: Several issues face the Sheriff’s office, lack of up to date policy and procedures which in turn leave the deputies, the county officials and the taxpayers open to large liability lawsuits. The revolving door of personnel costs money, as everyone who leaves has to be trained. It weakens morale and the performance of the other deputies who are now overworked. I will attract, train, invest in officers so they want to work in the office.

What you will direct your deputies/employees to focus on: I will let them know it’s a new beginning at the sheriff’s office, where they are valued along with the work they perform. As a group, the office will be better trained, more professional and involved with the community helping solve the issues we are all faced with. Assisting the people that the deputies encounter on a daily basis, in the courthouse and out in public.

Daniel J. McLean Jr.

Town: Lehighton

Background: A 2002 graduate of Lehighton Area High School; Allentown Business School for Criminal Justice in 2002, and Lackawanna College for the ACT 120 Municipal Police Officers Training in 2005; attended Penn State University for my ACT 2 from the Sheriff’s Academy in 2011; received a letter of commendation for saving a life while on duty in Nesquehoning; 10 years as a deputy sheriff in Carbon County and three years as a Summit Hill police officer.

What makes you the best candidate: If I am elected Sheriff of Carbon County, my goal will be to work hard and to bring more resources to our community.

The biggest issue facing the office, and how you plan to address it: I want to add more resources for mental health, drug and alcohol treatment and outreach programs for the children and adults of Carbon County. I believe that these resources will be a preventative step in helping to alleviate some of the caseloads the court system has, due to these issues.

What will you direct your deputies/employees to focus on: Did not answer.

Daniel G. Zeigler

Town: Franklin Township

Background: I am the current Carbon County Sheriff, a Carbon County native and graduate of Panther Valley High School, Penn State University and my Master’s degree from Devry University. I have 25 years of experience in the Criminal Justice field. My focus in the Sheriff’s Office has been to modernize all of our operations and serve the residents of Carbon County with honor, integrity and respect.

What makes you the best candidate: As a Carbon County native, I believe that I share the values of the community I grew up in. I believe my knowledge, skills, abilities, education and training will continue to benefit the residents of Carbon County. I have focused on developing and maintaining strong relationships with all local and state Law Enforcement Agencies to improve safety in our communities.

The biggest issue facing the office, and how do you plan to address it: In today’s day and age, the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers is an ongoing challenge for every law enforcement agency. In Carbon County, the Deputy Sheriff’s have their own Collective Bargaining Unit (union), which negotiates their salaries with the Board of Commissioners. I do my best every day to support the union to increase their pay and improve their quality of life, so we are able to recruit qualified individuals and retain them.

What will you direct your deputies/employees to focus on: On a daily basis, I direct deputies and employees to focus on four things, safety, efficiency, effectiveness and training. Not only do we need to focus on officer safety, but community safety as well. I have high expectations for my deputies to serve the public with honor and respect. We also strive to increase efficiency, effectiveness and training opportunities in the overall operations of Sheriff’s Office to best meet the needs of the communities we serve.