On Thursday, July 14, 2020, Jackson County, Florida held a political forum between candidates for Sheriff of Jackson County, and a large audience attended.
The position is open due to the retirement of Lou Roberts, longtime Police Chief of Marianna Florida and subsequently Sheriff of Jackson County, following the retirement of former Jackson County Sheriff ‘Johnny Mac’ McDaniels.
With several candidates vying for the position, encompassing both major political parties, Donnie Edenfield emerged on Tuesday evening as a frontrunner, pulling away from the pack and receiving high marks for his presentation.
Extolling the virtues of honesty, integrity, consistency, respect and a servant’s heart, Edenfield expressed his desire, competency and qualifications for the position on Tuesday, and many attendees expressed satisfaction at having a viable candidate capable of cleaning up the detritus of past scandals.
Jackson County and the credibility of the Sheriff’s Office has been rocked by the alleged planting of drugs by a former Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy, with allegations of cover-ups, botched investigations and subsequent complications of many cases being thrown out by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
‘Jackson County deserves much better’, said Edenfield at Marianna’s Citizen’s Park, where the fete was held, ‘and I will demand the best from our officers, support staff and entire department, as we enter the next decade’.
‘Thanks very much to all who attended the event Tuesday evening’, Edenfield continued, ‘We are so thankful for all the support we have been shown during the campaign and I am humbled by this outpouring of love. I look forward to serving Jackson County and the residents to the best of my ability, as we forge into the next chapter of the future of Jackson County’.
