DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann's leadership is being challenged by four opponents in next week's primary election who say the department has suffered from low morale and ineffectiveness.

Mann, who has been in charge of the sheriff’s office for two years, said he has recorded high arrest rates while offering quality inmate rehabilitation programs.

But his challengers argue that Mann hasn’t done enough to improve public safety, save taxpayer money and seek employee pay raises.

Mann faces retired homicide detective Geraldine Champion, retired Drug Enforcement Administration agent Ted Golden, former Deputy Sheriff Kyle Jones and investigator Michael Williams in the May 24 Democratic primary election.

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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez