Former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones made an expected announcement today, formally unveiling his campaign for DeKalb County sheriff.
Jones, who has never been a sworn law enforcement officer, joins a field of at least five candidates that have made their intentions to run known.
Voters will choose a new sheriff this year; DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown announced last year he was vacating the office to run for Congress.
Jones is a former state representative best known for his two terms as DeKalb’s CEO between 2001 and 2008.
Jones said that experience qualifies him to be sheriff, touting his years as CEO as ones of efficient, well-run government.
“As an administrator, I know how to run a department,” Jones said.
Brown has served as sheriff since 2001. Because there will be more than two years remaining in his current term when he resigns, a special election must be held to finish the term.
His will face five other candidates, all current or former law enforcement officials, in bid to return to county politics. So far, those signaling that they will run for sheriff when Brown steps down are:
• Retired DeKalb sheriff’s deputy Dale Bernard Collins
• DeKalb Police Sgt. Romaldo Tony Hughes
• Former Georgia Piedmont Technical College Assistant Chief Melody Maddox
• DeKalb Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Jeffrey Mann
• Atlanta Police Sgt. Melvin Mitchell
Mann, a former assistant county attorney, will serve as interim sheriff between Brown’s resignation and the special election to be held May 20, when the state conducts Democratic and Republican primaries.
About the Author
