JONESBORO, Ga. — The Clayton County Sheriff's Election is headed to a run-off with incumbent sheriff Levon Allen facing against Clayton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jeffrey Turner.
Both Allen and Turner shared their reactions to 11Alive about the race heading to a runoff. Turner said he was shocked.
"Very surprised about the percentage of the difference that led to this runoff," Turner said. "Very surprised, but at the end of the day, as long as I'm in the race, I might be in there by the skin of my teeth, but I'm in there, and at the end of the day, we have to regroup."
Whereas Allen said he plans to pound the pavement to remind voters to get to the polls, as historically, runoffs have low turnout.
"I think the only thing that was the issue was about voters on when and the time to vote," Allen said.
Turner said he plans to remind voters why he feels he's the best candidate — such as his plan to address ongoing issues at the Clayton County Jail.
"It's being mismanaged. There's people getting hurt and killed," Turner said. "The budget is over. There's $14 million over budget."
Allen defended his leadership. He called out Turner for not doing more as county chair to make that happen.
"My opponent is in a position where he could have fixed it, if that's what he wanted to do, over the last 16 years that he's been in place," Allen said. "The building, itself, belongs to the Board of Commissioners. And when there's something broke[n] and not working on is an enhancement, it's on the board of commissioners to do it. The sheriff only just provides and let[s] them know the information.
However, Turner argues that the board wasn't getting that necessary information.
"He's correct about the brick-and-mortar of the sheriff's department, but the dilapidation and the deterioration of the county jail is something that has to be brought to our attention," Turner said. "You can't sit on it for years and years."
When each candidate was asked for the three things that they plan to address first if the runoff goes their way, both candidates focused on the jail. Turner mentioned regaining control of the jail, officer training and the budget.
"We've got to make sure that we go in number one and regain control of the county jail. Then, we've got to make sure that the staff and the officers are properly trained and educated in terms of how to do their job and how to do it efficiently," Turner said. "And then, we've got to make sure that the budget, as we address the budget, that the budget stays within the confines of what has been budget that stays within the confines of what the Board of Commissioners has budgeted it for that department."
Whereas, Allen also mentioned the jail in terms of ensuring locks are operational, tackling overcrowding and increasing personnel numbers.
"First thing I want to get done is the locks. I want to get all the locks operational and working, which has been a work in progress," Allen said. "The second thing is to tackle the overcrowding. I would like to get the mobile trailers in so that I can make space for the inmates in the classifications that are here. And then, thirdly, is to get the personnel up, to get the proper amount of personnel for a facility of our size and magnitude."
In terms of what the candidates want voters to know, Allen stated that it's essential someone is elected who will tackle issues head-on.
"This is not a position for someone in retirement," Allen said. "This is for someone who's going to get out and work and say the things that need to be said and confront the issues head-on and not just say, 'Hey, you know, that's this person's fault. That's his personal fault.' You need somebody is going to stand in front of it and get it done. And I tell people, that's me."
But Turner's approach is one of innovation and his desire for change.
"We have to do something different," Turner said. "We have to strategize in a different way, but the citizens of this county [are] going to make their decision--the final decision as to who their sheriff is going to be. And at the end of the day, I hope and pray that it's me."
The bottom line: one thing both candidates can agree on is that no matter who wins, they're prepared to continue to work together amicably as county officials.
The runoff is set for June 18.