Reggie Rachals wins four more years as Lee County Sheriff - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Reggie Rachals wins four more years as Lee County Sheriff

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LEE COUNTY, GA (WALB) -

One of the most hot contested races was that of sheriff of Lee County..Former deputy David Cheshire vying against incumbent Sheriff Reggie Rachals. Rachals easily won getting two thirds of the vote.  The unofficial count, 3761 for Rachals.  1878 for Cheshire.

It was a long and often heated campaign between the two candidates for Lee County Sheriff. The incumbent Reggie Rachals got to celebrate with a nearly 2 to 1 victory, but challenger David Cheshire says he thinks he made a loud statement about Lee County law enforcement. And he says it might not be his last.

The big crowd gathered at Rachals' campaign headquarters for the final vote tally.

 Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals said "With the numbers that are in, we have won this race."

Crowd chants "Four more years."

A jubilant Rachals said people in Lee County with their votes showed they like the job he and his staff have done for the last four years.   And what he calls his running "the high road in the heated campaign."

 Rachals said "That's what I think made a big difference. People don't like the fact of stuff being thrown out there that's not factual. And the true facts spoke tonight, and that's the numbers in the voting."

David Cheshire, who resigned the Sheriff's Department in November to run for office, was still smiling with his supporters.

Cheshire said "Long 8 months. I gave what I thought the people needed to know. They made the choice. Bottom line."

As Rachals accepted congratulations, he knows in the next four years he has to contend with a fast growing population and a budget that is not growing as fast. But he says the big election victory has him ready for four more years.

 Rachals said "The people have got confidence in me to do the job, and do it well. I'm going to continue to do the job."

Despite the loss, Cheshire said he learned a lot, and still loves Lee County.

 Cheshire said "It's an experience that I'll always remember, and not to say, four years might be back again."

But for today, Reggie Rachals celebrates winning the Lee County Sheriff's election.

Cheshire has a lawn care business, and says he will continue that. Rachals said with the victory he plans to build neighborhood watch programs in the county, gun safety programs, and bring new technology to his office.

There was no Democratic candidate for Lee County Sheriff, so Rachals will serve for the next four years.

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