Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery and his opponent for the 2026 election, Baldwin County Commissioner Matt McKenzie, faced off Thursday in a forum.
The Eastern Shore Republican Women (ESRW) held the forum in Fairhope.
ESRW president Judy Barlow told 1819 News the sheriff of Baldwin County has an important job.
"Baldwin County is one of the fastest-growing areas in Alabama, and our sheriff's office has a responsibility to set the standard for excellence in law enforcement," Barlow said.
Lowery and McKenzie were asked about their backgrounds, stances on illegal immigration and what they would do to support President Donald Trump's "Make America Safe Again" policy, among other questions.
McKenzie, a Marine Corps veteran and retired Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) state trooper corporal, has 25 years of experience in law enforcement.
"I've had a little bit of everything with the troopers," McKenzie said. "I was a fraud investigator. I was a hearing officer. I was a highway patrolman. A lot of people, there's rumors going around, 'Matt didn't do anything but driver's license.' But to be a trooper, the first three years, you've got to be a highway patrolman before you can do anything else. So, I've got the experience of being on the road."
Lowery said he is very proud to be the sheriff of Baldwin County. He said he has been attending the trial of a deputy in Mobile, and the experience has made him notice how close the sheriff's office is.
"It makes me proud of the fact that I can get up there and lead the 450-something men and women that work in the sheriff's office. But being over there this week and seeing how our guys and our girls, they show up every day to support their brother," said Lowery.
Lowery said he is most qualified to be sheriff because he has been with the sheriff's office for 20 years and has been a law enforcement officer for 30 years. He is a graduate of Auburn University and the Southwest Alabama Police Academy. He has served as the state president for the FBI National Academy. He served as Chief Deputy for six years before being appointed Baldwin County Sheriff by Gov. Kay Ivey.
"I've been your sheriff for over a year. I've sat in that seat," Lowery said. "I have done things that no person should have to do. Twice, I have kneeled on my knee and handed a flag to a widow of one of my deputies. I would wish that upon no one. But those are all things that prepare you for this leadership position."
McKenzie said he is running for sheriff after considering it for eight years.
"I thought about waiting for the right moment and this is the right moment," McKenzie said. "My motivation is straightforward. I want Baldwin County to stay among the safest places in Alabama, and as a husband, father, and neighbor, I'm committed to ensuring that all families feel safe at home, our children are confident in their schools, and our communities continue to inspire."
As a county commissioner, McKenzie said he has a special perspective on the budget. He said he would like to add a lodging tax to unincorporated areas to benefit public safety and infrastructure. McKenzie said he wants to see the sheriff's office have a better working relationship with state and federal agencies.
Lowery said he meets with officials at the state and federal levels, and that's how he got the Baldwin County Corrections Center back open to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees. Lowery also said when it comes to immigration, he has been to the border himself to learn more about how the cartel operates. He said when Trump became president, crossings decreased, and drugs stopped pouring into Baldwin County.
"Immediately, it stopped a lot of illegal immigration, but instantly it stopped the flow of fentanyl and other methamphetamines and other dangerous drugs in Baldwin County," Lowery said.
Lowery said he wants violent illegal immigrants out of the U.S. first. He said he believes law enforcement should be contacting illegal immigrants who are not violent offenders to help them begin the immigration process.
McKenzie's stance was more "firm and hard" on immigration.
"They're here illegally. They broke the law. It doesn't matter whatever status they are, we want to take every one of them and send them back," said McKenzie. "That is what Trump wants to do and that's what we're going to do if I become sheriff."
McKenzie said border security is a big part of "Making America Safe Again." He also said supporting law enforcement and upholding the law are ways to protect families and communities. McKenzie said he believes school safety improvements should be made.
Lowery said Democrats demonized law enforcement for years, and it made enforcing the law difficult and dangerous. However, Lowery said that all changed with the Trump administration and the power given to local law enforcement by the new federal government.
"I'm not running for share because I need a title," McKenzie said in closing. "I don't need that. I'm running because I love this county just like all of you do and I want Baldwin County to be a safe place to live, to raise a family, and to build a future here. That's what drives me every day."
"There's an escalation of violence out there, and we have to do something as law enforcement officers," Lowery said in closing. "You have to do something as private citizens. You have to do something as Republicans to stand up against this so that we won't allow this to happen … The sheriff's office needs more than anything a very experienced leader, a person who has a very clear vision and a steady hand."
The primary election will be held on May 26, 2026, and the general election will be on Nov. 3, 2026.
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