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The recount will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 2, in the gym at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building on Georgia Road. The recount is open to the public.
Last Tuesday night found Brent Holbrooks and his supporters celebrating at Rathskeller as he was the top vote getter in the race to become the next sheriff of Macon County.
“First and foremost, I thank God for the opportunity and the health to run for sheriff,” Holbrooks said following the election. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to those who got out to the polls and voted. As we saw this race, every vote counts. Thank you for having a voice.”
Holbrooks said he has the utmost respect for all the candidates who ran. “I know each of us worked diligently throughout this campaign.”
With Holbrooks receiving 2,368 votes, only 54 votes separated him and his MCSO colleague Dereck E. Jones, who received 2,314 votes. On Thursday, May 19, Jones filed a request for a recount.
According to state law (163-182.7), a candidate can call for a recount of votes “if the difference between the votes for that candidate and the votes for a candidate and the votes for a prevailing candidate is not more that 1 percent of the total votes cast in the ballot item.”
“I feel that we ran a very tough, hard, clean campaign, which I am thankful for,” Jones said in an interview on Friday. “With it being such a close race, we need a recount.”
Canvass Day is Friday, May 27, and the recount will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 2, in the gym at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building on Georgia Road. The recount is open to the public.
The sheriff’s race was uncontested with no Democratic candidates running, so once the winner is declared, that person will become the next sheriff. Robert Holland, who has served as sheriff since 2002, announced his retirement in June 2021.
The unofficial primary election totals are as follows:
Brent Holbrooks – 2,368 (32.21%)
Dereck E. Jones – 2,314 (31.57%)
Clay Bryson – 1,123 (15.32%)
Chris Browning – 793 (10.82%)
Bob Cook – 732 (9.99%)
Sheriff Holland is proud of the three candidates from his office (Holbrooks, Jones and Bryson) and said the fact that they were the top vote getters is a reflection of the community’s support of the office. He said every administrator hopes there are people behind him willing to step up and take on the responsibility.
“By having five candidates and three of those candidates be individuals who have been on the front line, who have been in the trenches for many years, fighting the good fight, I think it pays tribute to us and to them for great dedication,” Holland said.
He said he will be available to help the new sheriff during the transition.
“My goal is to make sure the new sheriff is successful, because if he is successful my people that have served here are successful, and if those people are successful that will mean my community benefits and therefore, they will be successful.”
Holland said as sheriff his first responsibility is to the community and maintains what he has said since the beginning of his first term 20 years ago, “I will work as hard as I can from my first day in office until my last day in office.”
The sheriff said that it has been difficult with three employees running for office.
“We’re a big family. We’re no different than any other family; we have our differences,” he said. “But when it comes right down to it, we’re going to pull together. We love this community, and we’re going to do our best to serve our community.”
Holland said he thinks a recount will be beneficial not only because it will verify the winner but also reinforce the importance of voting and the election process.
“It will give people an opportunity to know that your vote did matter,” Holland said.
He hopes in the end, both candidates will feel all the checks and balances have been followed and that the recount will reduce any opinions that someone was robbed of the position or that it was not a valid election. The new sheriff will be sworn into office in December. Until then, Holland said they all still have a job to do.
“I am committed to making a difference and have never wavered from that,” he said.
Jones, who currently serves as the jail administrator, also wants to continue to help the Sheriff’s Office move forward even if he does not win in the recount.
“If Brent is the victor, I will support him throughout my career if he allows me a position,” Jones said. “He is a long-time friend, colleague, and a respectful individual.”
Jones said he is thankful for all those who supported him through the campaign.
“Without you none of this would be possible. My family is grateful for all the love and support you have shown.”
- By Mia Overton