Candidates line up for 2023 Jackson County sheriff’s race as Ezell wins U.S. House seat
Congressman-elect Mike Ezell is retiring as Jackson County sheriff on Jan. 1 — two days before he will be sworn into the U.S. House of Representative to serve Mississippi’s 4th Congressional district
Ezell planned to let Jackson County supervisors know of his intention to retire in a letter Wednesday.
And, already, candidates are lining up to replace Ezell as sheriff.
Ezell’s move away from law enforcement is bittersweet for the 42-year career law enforcement officer who has served as chief law enforcement officer in Jackson County since a 2014 special election. His career included stints at the Pascagoula Police Department, the Ocean Springs Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
In addition, Ezell served for years as chief of campus police in the Pascagoula School District.
Ezell is currently serving his third term as sheriff.
“I loved being a law enforcement officer,” Ezell said Wednesday. “It’s more than a job. It’s a calling, but it’s time to move on.”
On Tuesday, Ezell won his bid for Congress in a landslide victory over Democratic challenger Johnny DuPree, a former Hattiesburg mayor.
He had already defeated incumbent Steven Palazzo in a primary runoff June 28. Palazzo was elected in 2010 and was pushing for a seventh term in Congress.
Jackson County supervisors are expected to appoint an interim sheriff to serve until the November 2023 general election.
A run for sheriff?
So far, at least two people have announced their plans to run for Jackson County sheriff next year.
In July, Chief Deputy John Ledbetter announced his campaign for sheriff.
In the announcement, Ledbetter noted his 21 years of law enforcement experience with service in different capacities at the Pascagoula Police Department before moving to the rank of chief deputy chief in Jackson County under Ezell.
“For the past twenty-one years, I’ve dedicated my life to protecting the citizens of Jackson County,” Ledbetter said in his announcement. “I have knowledge, education and professional experience in law enforcement, as well as a track record of integrity and accountability. I’m ready to lead from day one as the next Jackson County sheriff.”
Ledbetter and his wife, Lisa , and their daughter, Carley, are residents of Hurley.
Ledbetter is also the grandson of former Jackson County sheriff John Ledbetter, who served as sheriff from 1976-1984. Other information about Ledbetter can be found here.
Campaigning since 2021
Veteran law enforcement officer Robbie O’Bryant started campaigning for the post in 2021, when he announced his plans to run for the post.
O’Bryant is a 20-year veteran law enforcement who has served in various capacities at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Moss Point Police Department.
He is currently working as a Moss Point police officer.
He and his wife, Ashley, and their two daughters, are lifelong residents of Jackson County.
In his announcement dating back to 2021, O’Bryant said, among other things, that “my career has been dedicated to protecting the citizens of Jackson County and anyone else who works, plays, and travels through Jackson County.”
“I believe in common sense, proactive law enforcement, while being engaged and active in our community,” he said. “By maintaining professionalism at its highest level, demonstrating compassion for others, and being committed to service, I have experienced the satisfaction of seeing families reunited after bouts with addiction, recovery of property after a burglary, and the feeling of closure for families who have lost a loved one from violent crime.”
If elected, O’Bryant vows to uphold professionalism in the position not only for himself but also the all members of the Sheriff’s Department.
“Together we will continue to build trust in the community we serve through strong community policing efforts,” his announcement said. “By implementing an immediate a plan of proactive enforcement, I intend to work with my team to combat increased property crime, violent crimes, and drug-related offenses. I believe this plan of action will result in a reduction in crime after the first 90 days.”
Other information about O’Bryant can be read here.
Qualifying for the 2023 general election begins Jan. 3.
This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 12:06 PM.
