Grundy County Sheriff Rick D. Penning has announced that he will seek re-election to the office of Sheriff of Grundy County.

Penning was born and raised in Grundy County, graduating from Wellsburg High School in 1970. He worked in the Communication Division of the Sheriff’s Office and attended Hawkeye Institute of Technology, Police Science, graduating in 1972. He then joined the Grundy County Sheriff’s Reserves and in 1974, he became the Wellsburg Police Chief.

Penning was hired as Deputy Sheriff in June 1975 and held that position until February 1982, when he was appointed Acting Sheriff following the resignation of former Sheriff William G. Marten. Penning then won the 1982 general election to fill the un-expired term of four years. Penning was then re-elected in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Penning, age 63, and his wife, Kathy, have been married for 40 years and they reside at 110 N. Washington in Wellsburg. They have two sons, Dean and Curtis.

Penning cites his years of experience in the Sheriff’s Office as an asset in his campaign for re-election. He also cites his willingness to improve the efficiency of the office and its duties, as law enforcement is an ever-changing profession.

Penning is a Republican candidate for re-election in the June Primary Election.