Seven candidates for sheriff want your vote Tuesday, all are qualified lawmen, but only one is the best fit.

The special election is more than simply picking the best lawman or the nicest guy.

What makes a great sheriff, however, is a rare combination of knowledge and leadership. The sheriff runs an office with a more than $3 million annual budget and leads a team of approximately 70 employees.

That’s a huge responsibility for both our public safety and stewardship of taxpayer money.

In carefully interviewing nearly all the candidates (Roosevelt Owens would not return our calls), reading their campaign materials and studying their histories, we feel strongly that the single best, most experienced leader on the ballot is Charles R. “Chuck” Mayfield.

Mayfield’s diverse experience makes him stand out among a field of excellent candidates. He brings more than a quarter century of real world experience in everything from working some of the largest narcotics busts in the area to handling youth court issues with great sensitivity.

He stands head and shoulders above other qualified lawmen when it comes to communication, understanding of budgetary issues, leadership ability and attacking crime with 21st century ideas.

Mayfield, however, will only be as good as the staff he hires. And some of the men running alongside him bring the best, specialized qualities to the table.

It has us thinking of a “dream team” of sorts.

Our dream team would include:

4 Randy Freeman in charge of patrol deputies.

4 Craig Godbold in charge of investigations and a revived canine unit.

4 Ray Brown leading a special gang task force and focusing on reaching out to juveniles before the crimes are committed.

That team, in our minds, puts each person in the area in which they have the greatest strength.

We hope the county will support the person who we believe has the best combination of experience, personality and leadership. Mayfield is the clear choice.

Regardless of whom you choose, however, we hope you’ll exercise your right to vote on Tuesday.