Aaron Spencer, who has been accused of fatally shooting a man who sexually assaulted his daughter, has won the Republican nomination to be sheriff of Lonoke County, Arkansas.
Spencer received 53.5% of the vote while incumbent John Staley received 26.5% according to election night reporting.
Spencer, an army veteran and farmer, allegedly shot and killed Michael Fosler in October 2024. At the time of the shooting, Fosler was out on bail after being charged with numerous sexual offenses against Spencer’s then-13-year-old daughter from a July incident at a family friend’s house.
In October, Fosler kidnapped Spencer’s daughter from their family home. When Spencer found her missing, he got in his truck and began searching nearby roads. He eventually spotted Fosler’s vehicle and forced it off the road, triggering a shootout. After allegedly fatally shooting Fosler, Spencer called 911.
Spencer has admitted to killing the man but has not pleaded guilty.
Spencer said the altercation compelled him to run to protect victims of child sexual abuse.
“I’m the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed,” he said in his campaign announcement video. “This campaign isn’t about me. It’s about every parent, every neighbor, every family who deserves to feel safe in their homes and safe in their community.”
Staley, Spencer’s competitor, oversaw his arrest in 2024. “I don’t think Aaron Spencer is a bad person,” he said. “I think that he was trying to protect his child, and there’s a lot more to this case that I can’t even release.”
Staley conceded in a Facebook post on Wednesday. “Tonight, the voters made their decision in the Republican Primary, and I respect the decision,” he wrote.
Spencer’s situation gained traction on social media and captured national headlines. “Aaron Spencer is a hero, he saved his daughter, and he should not be facing any charges,” one petition signed by over 12,000 people wrote.
“We cannot idly stand by and let this man be criminally charged for acting instinctively to protect his family, an act any parent can understand and sympathize with,” another petition signed by over 380,000 people reads.
A state gun rights group declared his actions just and set up a fund to support Spencer’s legal costs.
“Lonoke County sent a clear message last night, and we’re just getting started.” Spencer said in a Facebook statement on Wednesday.
Spencer’s trial, originally scheduled for early January, was postponed. A hearing will be held in the next two weeks to determine the new trial date. If convicted, the Republicans will need to choose a new sheriff nominee.