Brad Sandefur, a sergeant with the Cook County Sheriff's Office, is running as the Libertarian candidate for Cook County sheriff in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Thomas J. Dart, the Democratic candidate.

Asked why he is running, Sandefur said in our candidate questionnaire: "Department morale is lower than ever. The department has more deputies injured on duty than ever before. The SAFE-T and Pretrial Fairness Acts do not keep citizens safe, nor are they reasonable. We need to reduce recidivism without creating more victims. … I want to rebuild police legitimacy and public trust in law enforcement."

Candidate information

Occupation and work history: "Deputy Sheriff-Sergeant with the Cook County Sheriff's Office. 37 years with the Sheriff's Office. Former U.S. Marine. 47 years in law enforcement," Sandefur said in our questionnaire.

Education: "U.S. Marine Corps training and attended the Military Police-Corrections school." He said he "received a Master's degree in Criminal Justice with a cognate in Forensic Psychology" and "Graduated with 'High Honors' and a perfect GPA from Liberty University." He said he "earned my Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS)in Criminal Justice from Roosevelt University, graduating with honors and a 3.97 GPA" and "also graduated with Honors from Oakton Community College, earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement." He added: "I have also trained with the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons."

Party affiliation: "I am a Conservative Libertarian and am the Libertarian Party-endorsed candidate. I am also affiliated with and endorsed by the Independence party."

Family: "I have been married for 36 years. I have three daughters, all mentally or physically disabled, and one son, who is also my grandson, whom I adopted and have raised since birth. He suffers from autism and cerebral palsy."

Previous elected or appointed office: "I have never held an elected or appointed office."

Experience and public service

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Sandefur said "I graduated from Marine Corps Boot Camp with a Meritorious promotion. I have worked in the jail, in the courtroom, and on the street. I have taught at the training academy, including training supervisors. … I spent 8 years as a supervisor in the Records office and 7 as a shift commander, where I instituted changes that increased efficiency and reduced lost or misplaced paperwork and missing files. … I was one of only 24 deputies selected for a special tactical unit."

This is his first run for office.

Asked what sets him apart, Sandefur said "I would be the first sheriff to work for the department from the ground up. … I have done the job, made the decisions, taken the risks, and gone through the training. I am a certified police officer, correctional officer, tactical officer, and academy instructor. … I have 30 years of supervisory experience and 17 years as a shift commander."

On the issues

Mental health crisis response: Asked what step he would take to improve how deputies respond to mental health crisis calls, Sandefur said in our questionnaire: "Ensure everyone is trained and certified in Crisis Intervention Training. I would have a degree of RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) training incorporated with some training in how the brain works and develops to create a better understanding of why young people, low-IQ people, addicted brains, and developmentally challenged individuals tend to think and react to stimuli, to develop a better understanding of their social skills and communication difficulties."

Sandefur also said the department could "work with BCBA's (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) and psychologists to develop a response curriculum/policy when contact with such individuals is made."

Other policy positions: Sandefur said on his campaign website that he supports modifying the Pretrial Fairness Act, streamlining discharge procedures, more residential psychiatric facilities, mental health diversion programs without creating an arrest record, more drug rehabilitation residential programs requiring longer stays, better pre-hire investigations and revamping the Sheriff's Merit Board.

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.