CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Incumbent Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen passionately addressed a room of supporters as unofficial results showed he defeated his challenger in a Democratic primary runoff race Tuesday night.
"It can't stop, it won't stop," he said. "We are going upward in Clayton County."
Allen ran against Jeff Turner. Both failed to meet the 50% plus 1 vote threshold in the May primary race, which forced them to compete in Tuesday's runoff. Allen was elected to the position following the legal troubles of embattled ex-sheriff Victor Hill. Hill was found guilty of violating inmates' civil rights. The court saga put the jail and the sheriff's office in the spotlight.
"Let me tell you something, Allen said. "If I can do what I've done with my team in 15 months, you ain't seen nothing yet."
In an interview with 11Alive, Allen said the county needed a fresh start, and he's just that. He said he wants to work on getting things fixed, including at the jail.
"The first thing I want to do is fix the locks in the jail. The second thing is tackle overcrowding, and third thing is going to do with staffing," he said.
Allen mentioned he didn't think he would have to go to a runoff, but he said doing so takes away some of the excuses of his critics, adding that he's not surprised by the outcome.
"The county was very clear in what they wanted, and I'm here," he said.
The results are below from the runoff.
Turner also spoke to 11Alive about the runoff earlier in the night.
"When you look at the credentials and qualifications of the current sheriff compared to mine, there is no contest," he said as he referenced his accomplishments while trailing in the race.
The general election for Allen is in November. However, there wasn't a Republican running in the May primary. The projected win Tuesday night essentially secures his position with no other top frontrunners in the race.