In a surprising move, former Republican Sheriff Mike Hale has released a video endorsing Democrat Sheriff Mark L. Pettway for reelection.
Pettway defeated Hale in 2018 and is being challenged in a primary by Jude Washington and Chris Anderson. The Democrat nominee will face Republican Jacob "JJ" Reach in the general election.
"I'm Mike Hale, and I had the honor of serving as your sheriff here in Jefferson County for over 16 years. I proudly stand in full support of Sheriff Mark Pettway in the exceptional work he's accomplishing as Sheriff of Jefferson County," Hale said in the video. "Sheriff Pettway has demonstrated proactive engagement with the community, ensuring that the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office remains visible, accessible, and responsive."
Republicans throughout Jefferson County, including three who supported Hale, told 1819 News they were surprised by the endorsement.
“It was quite shocking to me, but I don’t know why it should be,” Phillip Brown, the chairman of the Jefferson County GOP, told 1819 News.
"Mike Hale has been a Democrat for years. He switched when it was convenient, and obviously, it's now that he's not in politics anymore, he switched back to what he really is,” he added.
Pettway's initial win was credited to an increase in straight-party voting throughout the county.
Eighty-three percent of Pettway’s votes in the sheriff’s race came from straight party ballots, according to an ABC33/40 story following the election. Jefferson County Democrats cast 109,010 straight party votes in 2018, compared to Republicans casting 78, 787.
No Republican has won county-wide since 2014. Brown thinks Republicans can overcome that straight-party voting.
“We’re seeing a major shift in the climate in Jefferson County, more and more people are becoming disenchanted with the Democrat Party, and they’re beginning to consider the options.”
"I respectfully urge the citizens of Jefferson County to join me in supporting and voting for the reelection of our sheriff, Mark Pettway," Hale said in closing the video.
Primary elections will be held on May 19.
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