Project 365 Day 29

Gonna be a new sheriff in town

No, I am not endorsing Cliff Cox for sheriff; I just wanted to use this as an example to describe the politics behind the sheriff's race in a small, Southern town.

Sheriff Ronnie Brown passed away March 11, 2009. His wife, Angie, was appointed to complete his term, with a special election to be held in November. So far, Cliff Cox, former narcotics division commander, Randy Freeman, constable, and Chuck Mayfield, former narcotics officer and now youth court administrator, are all running, as evidenced by their signs. I'm sure there are others, but those are just the signs I have noticed. At least 10 have picked up the paperwork to run.

Natchez has had only 3 sheriffs in almost 50 years. A father and son for most of the time from the mid 60's until 2003, and then Brown from then until his death. Now it is a wide open field, and I expect it to get pretty dirty. Friendships are already being tested, and the official qualifying date isn't even until September 3.

There has already been accusation of canditates acting outside the campaign law. I certainly expect more mud-slinging to follow.