There is a new sheriff in town and his name is Andy Griffith. The Wisconsin man formerly known as William Frederick is running for sheriff of the state's Grant County, under his new name, Andy Griffith. He told reporters that he hoped the name change would draw attention to the otherwise neglected election of county sheriff.

"Nobody knows who's running or what the issues are, if there are any issues or how the people differ," Griffith said, expecting the reference to Mayberry's finest to turn heads.

Andy Griffith is running as an independent in the November 7 election against a Republican incumbent and a Democrat with 16 years of experience working in a sheriff's department.

Griffith is a music store co-owner and has had experience as a security guard. He told reporters in a telephone interview that he knows how to work on a limited budget with limited manpower.

He noted that he had decided to run for sheriff following a drug raid carried out by the sheriff's office last May that resulted in the arrest of several young people on marijuana charges.