Some sheriffs dispute endorsement claim by candidate in AG’s race

Nearly a dozen Georgia sheriffs have become political yo-yos.

Eleven of the 37 sheriffs that Democratic attorney general candidate Greg Hecht claimed switched their endorsement to him last week are now disputing the claim.

Republican incumbent Attorney General Sam Olens’ campaign said Tuesday that 11 sheriffs who Hecht said abandoned Olens’ team are still on the incumbent’s side.

“I’m proud to support Sam Olens, and I am shocked that his opponent claimed to have my endorsement,” Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton said in a statement.

Hecht’s team, however, said its announcement was “all aboveboard.”

“These sheriffs told Greg they support him, and we took them at their word. A clerical mistake was made with respect to Sheriff Norton, and that has since been corrected,” Hecht spokesman Joe Cullar said. “But Greg individually spoke with each of them listed, asked for their support, and they said they support him.”

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Aaron Gould Sheinin

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