DAYTON, Ohio -- After months of waiting in the starting gate, the two candidates for Montgomery County sheriff finally began their race Thursday night.

Both Republican Phil Plummer and Democrat Mike Tenore were endorsed by their respective party organizations.

Plummer, now chief deputy for current sheriff Dave Vore, is expected to be appointed to the seat when Vore leaves at the end of June.

In an interview with WHIOTV.COM, Plummer said he already has begun to put his campaign organization together.

Plus, Plummer said, being the incumbent will help.

“I’ll be able to get my name out for more recognition and it will definitely be a huge advantage being the incumbent sheriff,” Plummer said.

Vore’s endorsement helped Plummer overcome any intra-party competition for the nomination.

History is also on Plummer’s side.

The last time Montgomery County voters chose a Democrat for sheriff was 1948, according to records at the county board of elections.

It does not deter Tenore, who is a former lieutenant in the Dayton Police Department and currently an investigator for the county prosecutor.

“I am certainly thrilled about the opportunity that we have before us,” Tenore said.

He said five and a half months is a short time to gear up a campaign, but he is pleased with the confidence that the Democratic Party has shown in him.

“It is going to be a lot of work. This is something that is totally new for me and I am really looking forward to it,” Tenore said.

Both candidates said their next move is to continue to organize their campaign committees and begin fundraising for the November election.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com