WILLIAMSPORT — Two people are seeking the Republican nomination for Lycoming County Sheriff in the spring primary.

They are incumbent Mark Lusk and Daniel Strailey.

Lusk, of Jersey Shore, has been sheriff for 12 years and served as police chief in Old Lycoming Township.

Strailey, of Montoursville, is employed as deputy sheriff in Sullivan County and held the job of police chief in Montoursville.

Lusk said his decades of law enforcement experience qualify him for the job of sheriff.

“I have enjoyed an entire adult lifetime of public safety service. I have been a chief or an administrator much of my life and an emergency responder in police and fire,” he said. “I’ve been an EMT responder and worked in the coroner’s office. I have performed in all aspects of emergency services in the county. I get immense satisfaction in helping people.”

Strailey pointed to his many years working in law enforcement as qualifications for sheriff.

“I have training in law enforcement and in administration,” he said. “Having been a deputy, I know what it takes to do the job of sheriff. I think it makes me well-rounded in that area.”

Lusk said he wants to continue with the work he’s done as sheriff.

“I enjoy the many countywide relationships that I have developed, and I have had tremendous support across the county from residents to businesses who come to me for help with issues and with responsibilities,” he said. “I have developed a very unique situation in that I have a countywide network of the fire police and EMS community, government entities and municipalities. We are able to help each other. It’s just a relationship where we have developed very strong bonds.”

Strailey said he want to give back to the community where he has made his home for the past 55 years.

“Lycoming County is my home. That is where I’d like to finish my law enforcement career,” he said.

Lusk said his priorities include enhancing services to improve technology within the sheriff’s department as it adds more space.

“That also includes additional space to house inmates. We’ve been planning the process for three years,” he said.

“I also want to continue to provide security and protection for our judges and court staff and county employees. Safety and security is our top priority,” he said. “In addition, I want to continue with our success in fugitive apprehension. In the past several years, our deputies have assisted in clearing 254 federal fugitive warrants. Our deputy group has also participated in clearing 2,290 state and local felony fugitive warrants.”

Strailey listed his priorities as working with all county agencies on a cooperative level, ensuring efficiency while keeping intact a sound budget, and interacting “with citizens from all walks of life with respect and integrity.”