Gregg Osteen, a Republican, has announced he will seek the office of Polk County Sheriff in 2010.

Osteen was scheduled to make his announcement last night at the Polk County Republican Headquarters in Columbus.

Osteen, a Green Creek resident,&bsp; has been in law enforcement for about 17 years and currently works with the Buncombe County Sheriff&squo;s Office.

He says he is seeking the office of sheriff because his entire life he has felt like the Lord has put people in his path who&squo;ve encouraged him to work toward that goal.

He says being sheriff is something he&squo;s been preparing for since he was nine or 10 years old as he likes to see that the right things are being done. He says he&squo;s tried to mold himself after influences who&squo;ve showed great character.

Osteen also says he has no ties to the sheriff&squo;s office, so he feels he could come in and be fair because he doesn&squo;t owe anybody anything.

Osteen grew up in the East Flat Rock area and began his law enforcement career with the Henderson County Sheriff&squo;s Office from 1992 until 1998.

He has worked with the Buncombe County Sheriff&squo;s Office since 2000, where he serves as a field training officer and is a Corporal. He has also worked with the Tryon Police Department since 1998, and is currently a part-time patrol officer there.

Osteen has a website currently available at osteen4sheriff.com.