CAIRO, GA (WALB) - Sheriff Harry Young is trying to do something no one in Grady County has done in nearly half a century.
"It's been a little over 50 years or 40 something years since the sheriff has served over two terms in Grady County. So hopefully go for another term and keep the people happy," said Young.
But his road to keep the sheriff's badge will not come easy.
He's running against veteran law enforcer Jerome Smiley. "I got 29 and half years with Grady County and once you get 30 years in, you want to be the top law enforcement so the sheriff is the next top step," said Smiley.
Chief Registrar F. Jean Marshall says the sheriff's race is keeping her office busy. "Usually it's just an average slow steady stream of voters coming in, but this election seems to be in full swing from day one."
Young says he hopes the voters will recognize his strong track record. "Being an incumbent sometimes gives you a good bit of an advantage if you hadn't done anything wrong and I don't think I have. The only thing I have done is try to make this county safer and do everything I can to stay within my budget."
Smiley has a similar message for voters. "Well I just want the public to know that I'm still that same person that was there for them so I just need them now to be there for me."
Marshall says the right to vote is one right every citizen should take advantage of. "Vote your conscience and vote your heart and if you're not going to vote, don't come grumbling."
Early voting continues through July 27th.
Young and Smiley are running against each other in the July 31st Democratic Primary.
In November, The winner will face Earl Stuckey who's running unopposed in the Republican primary.
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Sheriff Harry Young with Firefighter Richard Phillips
Jerome Smiley
F. Jean Marshall
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