Sebastian County Sheriff not seeking re-election, endorses chief deputy

Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion is not running for re-election, and is instead endorsing Chief Deputy John Miller in the March 2026 election. Assistant Jail Administrator Wyatt McIntyre recently announced he is running for the county’s top law enforcement job.

Runion, who was first elected sheriff in November 2018, said his two 4-year terms will be enough. He began a law enforcement career in 1992 as a Lavaca patrol officer, and joined the Sebastian County Sheriff’s department in 2000. Runion, 61, said in a brief interview Monday (April 14) that he may run for a legislative office after leaving the department.

He also said his endorsement of Miller came after talking to captains in the department about who was best to lead the department. Runion on April 7 promoted Miller to chief deputy.

“I said ‘Look, I’m not running again, and I want the person to have the best chance of winning,’” Runion said, adding that the captains all agreed that they “wanted one united front” to get behind and support.

According to the sheriff’s office, Miller began his career in 1997 as a Greenwood police officer and came to the sheriff’s office in 2001. Miller has worked in numerous leadership roles, including jail administrator.


https://talkbusiness.net/2025/04/sebastian-county-sheriff-not-seeking-re-election-endorses-chief-deputy/