Sheriff defeated by 300 votes faces Alabama county divided over write-in campaign
A campaign takes shape
Jones was ousted in May by Hunt in a closely fought Republican primary in Lee County, Alabama. Weeks later, a grassroots effort began urging voters to write in Jones during the midterm election.
Carter, a former deputy who described Jones as a mentor, said a phone call led him to help find campaign signs. They read, “On Election Day write in Sheriff Jay Jones,” and appeared in yards, on pickup trucks and at local businesses.
Hunt supporters accused Jones’ camp of refusing to accept the primary result. Jones supporters said voters had the right to write in any candidate. Social media posts showed signs being taken from yards, alongside online disputes.
Tensions among supporters
“It’s chaotic,” Carter said, describing how the campaign had unfolded. He said he did not know who was organizing it and had found it difficult to learn who was behind the effort. The article does not state the result of the write-in effort or whether Jones remained in office after the midterm election.
Sheriffs and local power
Sheriffs can influence regional issues, including immigration enforcement and gun policy. The article cites a 2020 report by Women’s Donor Action that counted 3,801 sheriffs nationwide and said the office is overwhelmingly held by White men.
About 1,400 sheriff positions are expected to be on ballots in 2026, according to Yesim Karaman of the National Sheriffs’ Association. In 20 states, including Alabama, most elected sheriffs are due for election, she said.
Dispute over Hunt’s firing
Hunt said Jones fired him after he intended to run against the sheriff. In an email to CBS News, Hunt wrote, “Within approximately ten minutes, I was terminated,” and said the termination letter cited his plans to challenge Jones.
Jones said keeping Hunt would have been “an untenable situation.” The article notes that courts have upheld some politically motivated dismissals of sheriff’s deputies, including decisions in Missouri in 2021 and North Carolina in 2016. Jones said he would cooperate fully with any investigation. Hunt said he would call for an independent investigation.
Key points
- Jones lost the Lee County Republican primary to Cameron Hunt by about 300 votes.
- Supporters launched a write-in campaign for Jones weeks before the midterm election.
- The campaign led to disputes over signs and accusations between the candidates’ supporters.
- Hunt said Jones fired him because he planned to run against the sheriff.