Roberts unseats Campbell

No other race had more ballots cast in Howell County than the contest between Matt Roberts and Brent Campbell for Sheriff. Roberts emerged victorious on Primary Election Day with 69.99% of the vote to Campbell’s 30.01%. There are no Democratic candidates to defeat in November. 

 

In essence, there’s a new Sheriff in town. 

 

This race was only slightly closer than in August of 2020, the last time county voters chose a Sheriff. That year, Campbell defeated Bryan Hogan by more than fifty-two points. More than 500 more ballots were cast last Tuesday than four years ago. 

 

On Friday, Roberts stopped by the news office. He reported that his campaigners and volunteers knocked on two thousand doors in the final two weeks before election day. On the massive turnout in this race, Roberts mentioned that “a couple dozen” people told him that they had turned out to vote specifically to vote him in. 

 

Regarding the victory, Roberts said his frank manner of talking to constituents must have resonated with the voters. 

 

“I think that’s what people are looking for,” Roberts said. 

 

Between now and when he takes office in January, Roberts plans to prepare. He is attending a Sheriff’s conference. Lining out a budget is on his to-do list. He will be preparing a policy update. And he plans to take his wife on a “well-deserved” cruise after a contentious election season.

 

The first changes he intends to implement will be internal to the Sheriff’s Office, specifically “minor changes in the leadership structure,” including appointing a supervisor to the narcotics division. Roberts plans to launch a recruitment program and fill the vacant patrol positions in the department. 

 

On the subject of campaign promises, Roberts said, “Hold me accountable on all of it.”

 

He said he remains committed to achieving the major planks of his platform – a balanced budget, getting deputies out on the county roads, patrolling more, and serving the public better.