CNAW2News projects Cam Hunt wins Lee County Sheriff’s race
LIVE NOW
- CNAW2News projects Cam Hunt wins Lee County Sheriff's race over write-in incumbent Jay Jones.
- Hunt plans culture shift toward servant leadership and jail reforms when taking office in January.
CNAW2News projects Cam Hunt as the winner of the Lee County sheriff’s race, following an election that drew significant attention over a grassroots campaign encouraging voters to write in incumbent Sheriff Jay Jones.
With 24 of 27 boxes reported Tuesday night, unofficial results showed Hunt with 24,284 votes and write-in votes totaling 12,824. Results from Smiths Station Junior High School and absentee ballots were still outstanding at the time of the projection.
Hunt’s projected victory comes after he defeated Jones by just 307 votes in the Republican primary earlier this year, ending Jones’ bid for the party’s nomination after more than two decades as sheriff.
Following the primary, supporters of Jones launched a grassroots write-in campaign aimed at keeping the longtime sheriff in office. Hunt was the only candidate whose name appeared on the general election ballot.
Speaking with CNAW2News on election night, Hunt said he felt blessed by the outcome and was ready to begin preparing for the position.
“It’s been a long road, but honestly, I couldn’t feel more blessed,” Hunt said. “Now I’m ready. I’m ready to get to work. In a couple months, we’re going to hit the ground running.”
“If Lee County wanted change, then that’s what they got, and that’s what I’m going to give them,” he added.
Hunt outlines priorities for the sheriff’s office
Hunt said changing the culture within the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will be among his first priorities when he takes office in January.
“We’re going to a culture built around servant leadership,” Hunt said. “The better job you do taking care of your people, the better job they’re going to do taking care of the people that we serve.”
Hunt also identified the county jail as a significant challenge facing his incoming administration.
“This is going to be a big mountain to climb,” he said. “We’re going to have to rework it from the ground up in more ways than one.”
He said he plans to keep the public informed as his administration addresses those challenges. Hunt reiterated a campaign promise to hold quarterly public safety meetings, giving residents an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and learn how taxpayer dollars are being used.
“The sheriff’s job is you work for the people,” Hunt said. “And how can you work for your people if there’s no direct communication with them?”
Write-in campaign followed narrow primary loss
The general election followed a closely contested Republican primary in which Hunt defeated Jones by 307 votes.
The narrow margin helped fuel a grassroots effort encouraging Jones’ supporters to write in his name on Election Day. The campaign gave voters who continued to support Jones an alternative after he lost the Republican nomination.
Hunt said he respected voters’ right to choose their preferred candidate and described the write-in effort as part of the democratic process.
He also praised voter turnout, saying the participation he observed was overwhelming and exceeded expectations.
“To everyone that got out and voted, whether you voted for me or not, thank you for getting out and voting,” Hunt said.
Hunt looks toward January transition
Hunt said he hopes to work with Jones to ensure a smooth transition before taking office in January.
“I’m looking forward to working with him and hopefully have a smooth transition come January,” Hunt said. “We’ve got a couple months. There’s a lot of things to get done between now and then because either way, we’re going to hit the ground running come January.”
Hunt credited his wife and three children for supporting him throughout the campaign, saying he would not have reached this point without them.
He also said his decision to run for sheriff was rooted in his faith, explaining that he believed the Lord had called him to pursue the position.
Following the interview, John Coker led a prayer with those gathered, thanking God for Hunt’s perseverance and asking for guidance for Hunt and his family as they prepare for the transition.
With CNAW2News projecting Hunt as the winner, Lee County is preparing for a change in leadership at the Sheriff’s Office. Final election results and official certification will follow the county’s election procedures.
CNAW2News will continue to follow the transition and report updates as additional results become available.
Related stories
LocalHunt files ethics complaint over alleged use of Lee County Sheriff’s Office GPS System
LocalLee County Sheriff Jay Jones alleges Alabama GOP Chairman threatened removal over candidate endorsement
LocalLee County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant faces long road to recovery after cancer battle
LocalLee County Sheriff’s Office honors employees with awards for courage and lifesaving actions
LocalBenefit ride planned to honor 18-year-old killed in Troup County crash