If there is any doubt about how unsteady Myron Freeman's tenure as Fulton County sheriff is perceived, you only need to look at the crowd already lined up to try to unseat him.

With the general election still eight months away, there are at least nine candidates who have either announced they are running or filed to be able to start raising campaign cash.

And at least one more is considering a run.

There are already more folks signed up to challenge Freeman than are running for all other countywide offices combined in Fulton.

Four have run for Fulton sheriff before and failed but see Freeman as so vulnerable they feel they can take down the one-term incumbent. The seven challengers include two former and three current deputies, all willing to take on their present or one-time boss.

There are no announced Republicans so far.

"It shows you what a mess Democrats have made of that office," said Shawn Hanley, chairman of the Fulton Republican Party. "You've got eight or nine Democrats vying to knock off another Democrat. The sheriff's office is probably as poorly run as any office in the county."

State Rep. Bob Holmes, a Democrat and veteran of three decades in Atlanta politics, said the horde of opponents is unusual for any incumbent. Still, he said, it's no surprise that Freeman's drawing early opposition.

"I can understand why so many people are running against him," Holmes said. "The image he has shown is a lack of leadership, a lack of confidence."

Freeman, though, says he's ready for everyone and is seeking a second term.

"The more the merrier," Freeman said. "Bring them on. I'm going to continue doing my job and run on my record."

For Freeman, his tenure as sheriff has been a rough ride.

Three months after taking office, the courthouse Freeman is charged with protecting was the scene of horrible violence. Brian Nichols stands accused of the March 11, 2005, rampage that left four people dead, including a Superior Court judge. The sheriff was widely criticized for the incident and his office's response in disciplining the deputies on duty at the time.

"He's never recovered from it," Holmes said.

Since the shootings, Freeman's been under a federal court order that controls how many inmates can be held at the county jail and has sparred with the federal judge overseeing the case.

Fulton judges have been at odds with Freeman over security —- complaining his security plan after the shooting was late and poorly drawn. The judges have hired a courthouse security expert who reports to them.

Lawmakers looking to reform Fulton government have proposed carving up Freeman's office, giving away his authority over the jail and his responsibility to serve civil court papers. Legislation is expected to be filed soon on both issues.

Freeman says he's ready for what promises to be a bruising primary.

The crowd of challengers come with inside knowledge and outside expertise. The group of announced and potential candidates includes two former county jailers, three current deputies, a police chief, an ex-FBI agent, an Atlanta cop and an Atlanta jailer.

Freeman took over a department with a history of scandal.

Jackie Barrett, the previous sheriff, was suspended by Gov. Sonny Perdue for giving $7 million collected by her office to a Florida broker who made investments that auditors later called illegal. She did not run for re-election in 2004.

Barrett succeeded Richard Lankford, who was convicted of bribery and tax evasion. Freeman has repeatedly defended his tenure by saying he inherited a troubled department and has worked diligently to improve it. He's noted new security procedures at the jail and a program to lower jail populations by farming out inmates to other facilities.

"This place was a mess when I started," Freeman said. "We've made a lot of progress. I'm going to run again because I haven't finished the job."

POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF

The challengers who have announced or are taking donations include:

• Ronald Brandy, 42, has been with the sheriff's office 15 years, holding positions that include warrants, court security, inmate transfer and jailer. He bills himself as the most versatile candidate.

• Michael Forbes, 43, works for the sheriff's office as a deputy. He has worked for Fulton seven years during two different stints. He also worked for the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Georgia Department of Corrections.

• Aubrey Osteen, 66, managed the north Fulton County jail for three years. A graduate of the FBI academy, Osteen retired from the Fulton District Attorney's Office as a drug indictment supervisor and investigator. He has been in law enforcement since 1973.

• Frank Brown, 62, retired in 2006 after 39 years with the East Point police. He rose through the ranks to become the city's first black police chief, a post he held for 10 years. He is a graduate of the FBI academy and managed the city jail in East Point for 20 years.

• Ted Jackson, 61, a former FBI agent who served briefly as sheriff three years ago when Barrett was under suspension. He retired in 2003 after almost 33 years with the FBI. His career with the FBI included assignments in Ohio, New Jersey and Tennessee.

• Charles Rambo, 39 , a former union boss at the sheriff's office and former lieutenant who has been a vocal critic of Freeman. He's run and lost twice before.

• Curtis Farmer, 46, has worked for the sheriff's office 20 years. A sergeant, he works in building security at the courthouse. Farmer has worked in the jail from booking to floor operations and the mailroom. He lives in East Point.

• Patrick Labat, 40, a major at the Atlanta city jail with 19 years of experience. He's currently facility commander overseeing day-to-day operations, transport, court and inmate medical care.

• Randolph Scott, 55, the professional protection training director and firearms instructor director for Jackson Security. In a 20-year law enforcement career, Scott held posts in Fulton, Clayton, Dekalb and Henry counties. He also served on the Fulton County Board of Education and with the MARTA Police Department.