Offering a lifetime of service, leadership and business experience, Don Rust is seeking the office of Logan County Jailer. He is a candidate in the contested Republican primary election.

Rust has a distinguished military record. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he is also a former captain in the U.S. Coast Guard. Additionally, he worked over 20 years as a building contractor and in sign design and manufacturing. After five years as sales manager for Terminix International, he now owns and operates his own business, Don Rust Trucking.

A 1971 graduate of Chandlers High School, he is the son of Ray and Thelma Utley Rust. He and the former Deborah Stevenson have been married for 38 years. Debbie is a registered nurse, working at Creekwood Place. Their son Jaramy and his wife Shannon are residents of Russellville. Their daughter Dawn and her husband, Eddie Fritsch, live in Orlinda, Tenn. The Rusts have five grandchildren.

Don is from a large family. His sister lives, Judy Wilson, lives with her family in Auburn, and his brother Rick, who also operates a trucking firm in Logan and Muhlenberg counties, lives in Browder. A brother Bill and sister Betty are deceased.

The Rusts, who make their home in the Russellville area, worship at both Lewisburg Church of Christ and Crittenden Drive Church of Christ.

He says, “I believe the county jail should be an unpleasant deterrent to criminal behavior, not ‘just a place’ to spend time watching television and lying around. Inmates should be put to work whenever possible to discourage unacceptable behavior and to help pay for their incarceration. Inmates should be encouraged to become productive citizens.”

Don Rust lists the following goals:
* Establish a mentor program to encourage personal growth and self-respect.
* Continued and enhanced opportunity for faith-based counsel and support.
* Opportunity for those inmates who suffer from addictions to receive qualified counsel and support.
* To work with outside sources in our community to provide job skills training for inmates who qualify and desire to learn a trade, enabling them to lead a productive life.
* To eliminate illegal contraband of any kind from entering and/or use inside the jail and hold any individuals found guilty of offenses prosecuted.
* Provide all personnel the training and resources to do their job safely and successfully and to be held to the highest standards of behavior.