David Maki, a recent retiree from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, announced his candidacy for sheriff this week.
According to a statement from his campaign, Maki, age 50, served in the U.S. Army. He had a 20-year career in the sheriff's office before retiring as a lieutenant earlier this year.
Maki is not running as a member of a political party. He describes himself as "a Constitutional Conservative," saying "the oaths I have taken have been to the Constitution and the people of our Nation, our State, and our Parish – not to any one person or party."
Maki joins Interim Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau and retired U.S. Marshal Scott Illing in the race to replace Randy Smith.
Smith resigned from office after pleading guilty to assaulting a critic in May.
