10/18/06 -- Education, growth, safety are key issues for Oelrich
Steve Oelrich tells people who slip up about his title that it is still OK to call him "sheriff" - a position he had for about 14 years until a few weeks ago.  But he's hoping it will be replaced with a new title - "senator" - a few weeks from now.

09/06/06 -- Oelrich, Jennings to face off for District 14 state Senate seat
As for the November election, Oelrich said he would run a straight-forward campaign against Jennings, focusing on Jennings' "accomplishments or lack thereof."

09/06/06 -- Statehouse candidates lead races comfortably
"I think I'm a known quality," Oelrich said. "You know what you are getting here. People may not have agreed with me on every issue, but I think people know my heart was in the right place and that I did the right thing for citizens. I think that translates into someone that have trust with."

09/06/06 -- Ed Jennings to face Steve Oelrich in District 14 state Senate race
“I’ve met a lot of challenges in my years as sheriff and I’ve met them all with honesty and integrity. The task now is to reach as many of the 400,000 people in the district as possible and let them know what we’re going to do in North Central Florida and statewide.”

08/18/06 -- For Senate District 14
Steve Oelrich has been sheriff of Alachua County for nearly 14 years. That a Republican was able to get elected and returned to office multiple times in a Democrat-leaning county says a lot about his bipartisan appeal and his effectiveness.

08/18/06 -- Steve Oelrich (Republican) will face three other candidates in the Florida Senate District 14 race
Oelrich has served as the sheriff of Alachua County for 14 years and points to a record that includes successful efforts to reduce crime in a fast-growing county. "I place an emphasis on maintaining safe communities, a safe district and a safe state," he said.

08/17/06 -- I will work hard for government accountability
Over the years, I have made decisions, not based upon what is politically popular or partisan, but to do what's right. Some may have disagreed with certain decisions, but at least they know where I stood. I will bring a unique, commonsense approach to the issues that come forth in the Legislature.

07/07/06 -- Alachua sheriff resigns to run for state senator
Alachua County Sheriff Steve Oelrich resigned Thursday to campaign for State Senate District 14.  Rod Smith, the incumbent in District 14, is departing the office to  run for the Democratic nomination for governor.

07/01/06 -- Four run for seat in Senate
Sheriff Oelrich says more money should be left with local school boards instead of having Tallahassee collect taxes earmarked for education and redistributing it, with much of the funding tied to state mandates. And more of that money should also be used to teach students not bound for college a trade that would afford them a decent salary. That would create and keep more well-paying jobs in Florida, Oelrich said.

06/28/06 -- Senate hopeful draws a crowd in West Putnam
The heavenly scent of barbecue mixed with the sterner air of politics Tuesday as Alachua County’s sheriff came looking for votes in West Putnam. Steve Oelrich, a candidate for state Senate, District 14, greeted about 50 residents at the Backwoods Smokehouse, six miles south of Interlachen on County Road 310.

06/27/06 -- Sheriff Oelrich Runs for the Senate
Steve Oelrich is neither politician nor law enforcement officer. He is, in his own words, a public servant.

06/27/06 -- Two more candidates stump for Putnam votes
Alachua County Sheriff Steve Oelrich is running for the District 14 seat in the Florida Senate. That’s the seat currently held by state Sen. Rod Smith, who’s campaigning for the Democratic nomination for governor.