CHARLTON COUNTY, Ga. — A drug problem in Charlton County is the biggest topic voters told First Coast News they cared about when it comes to the sheriff's race Tuesday.
The sheriff's race is between the current sheriff, Robert Phillips, the sheriff before him, “Dobie” Conner, and Ronnie Pollock, the county’s road superintendent.
Phillips told First Coast News he should be re-elected because he has decades of experience in law enforcement. He said he brought the sheriff’s office into the 21st century with technology for deputies including body-worn cameras. He said he plans to double down on fighting drugs now that the office has more resources with the impacts of COVID-19 being felt less.
“We’re gonna double down on the drug enforcement in Charleton County,” Phillips said. “And we’re gonna do what we can to eradicate that problem. We know we won’t be able to stop it, but we can put a dent in it.”
Conner also pointed to his experience, including as the sheriff of the county for more than 30 years before retiring. He said he was encouraged by others to come out of his retirement to run for the office. He said he wants to beef up anti-drug programs in schools and join forces with city police departments in the county to fight the problem.
“My word to the drug dealers is, 'Get ready because if I win this election, I’m coming and I’m coming hard,'” Conner said. “I’ve got a big problem with that and we’ve got so many people here, so many young people that’s got hooked on that stuff.”
Pollock was formerly a county commissioner for 12 years. He said the main action he wants to take as sheriff is getting drugs off the streets. He pointed to his leadership skills and said he believes he’s a better leader and would do a better job as sheriff, though he said his opponents are also good people.
“My main thing is trying to help get some drugs off the street,” said Pollock. He added: “I’m an administrator and I just feel like I could do a better job,” and said about running for sheriff, “It’s always been in my heart.”
Voters said they voted for the man they believe will fix the county's drug problem.
“[I] would like to see the drugs stop and that way a lot of the other crime would stop,” said Judy Denton.
“A lot of stuff is focused in Folkston and nothing really makes it out here as far anything being done," said Kaylee Conner outside a polling location in Saint George. "We live down a road that is basically consumed by drug problems and so I really want that to stop.”
“[The] drug problem more than anything,” said Sue Crawford. “That’s the top of most of our lists and just a lot of stuff that’s moving out here to this rural area from the city and we just need to have that addressed.”
First Coast News is your election headquarters for when results are tallied. Find the results here.