Another contender for sheriff emerges today. Quinton O’Neal announced his plans to run for sheriff in November’s special election.

“I’ve been wanting to run [for sheriff] for awhile and I finally decided now was the time,” O’Neal said.

The candidate, who said he has 20 years of experience as a deputy, is doing as much as he can to prepare for the campaign and already has three campaign headquarters set up.

O’Neal said his main focus will be on the children in Liberty County.

“We need a safe place for children to go to hang out,” O’Neal said. He wants to see places like game rooms, skating rinks and bowling alleys in the area.

Gerald Burgess and Steven Sikes also have announced their intentions to run for sheriff. The special election was called after Sheriff J.Don Martin died last month. His wife, Polly Martin, was appointed to serve as interim sheriff until the special election.

Qualifying for the sheriff’s race begins Monday and runs through noon July 2. Candidates must pay a fee of $2,270.25.

O’Neal owns O’Neal’s Tree Service and will pass down the family business to his son if he is elected sheriff.