Alabama Sheriff Who Lost His Primary by 300 Votes Faces a Mystery Write-In Campaign to Win It Back

In Lee County, Alabama, a grassroots write-in campaign is trying to keep a sheriff in office who lost his party's primary in May, and the people behind it have not stepped forward.

Sheriff Jay Jones, who has held the job for more than 27 years, lost the Republican primary 9,301 to 8,994 to Cameron Hunt, a former sheriff's deputy. Weeks before Tuesday's election, yard signs began appearing that read, "On Election Day write in Sheriff Jay Jones." A Facebook page for the effort lists a Proton email address, an encrypted account, and a CBS News query to it went unanswered.

Jack Carter, a furniture maker and former deputy who calls Jones a mentor, said a phone call pulled him in. He put a sign on his black Ram pickup, posted a photo, and things "blow up." Supporters of Hunt accused Jones' camp of being sore losers, while Jones' backers said voters can write in anyone they like. Signs have been stolen from yards. "This has not gone the way that this needs to go," Carter said. "It's chaotic."

Jones said he was "humbled" and insisted he is not involved and has not solicited votes. He said the Alabama Republican Party has threatened to remove him from the party because of the campaign.

The feud predates the primary. Hunt says that when he asked for a private meeting late last October to announce his challenge, Jones fired him within about ten minutes, and the termination letter cited his plan to run. Jones said he gave Hunt several chances to resign and that keeping him would have been "untenable." Courts have upheld such firings, including a 2021 federal appeals ruling that deputy sheriffs hold positions requiring political loyalty.

After the primary, Hunt filed a complaint with the Alabama Ethics Commission, alleging Jones used a departmental GPS system to set up a geofence around Hunt's home. The commission said it could not confirm or deny a complaint exists. Jones said he would cooperate fully with any investigation.

The two men differ on policy. Hunt plans to sign a 287(g) agreement with federal immigration authorities, supports open carry and says he will end the county's Flock contract. Jones says his office has transferred more than 450 people to ICE custody from the county jail in two years, though it has no signed memorandum of understanding.

There are about 1,400 sheriff elections nationwide this year, and about 62% of sheriff races from 2022 to 2024 were uncontested. Mirya Holman, a University of Houston professor, called a longtime incumbent losing a primary "very unusual" and said write-in campaigns are "very rarely successful." Hunt, the only sheriff candidate on the November 3 ballot, said he respects everyone's right to write in a name and plans to take office in January.