Columbia County Sheriff

Rudolph Davis Sr. and Carl Hodson are running to unseat Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter. 

All Columbia County races are non-partisan, so all registered voters can cast ballots in this race and if one candidate does not win a majority of votes in the Aug. 14 primary, the two top candidates will face each other in the November General Election.

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Scroll down to read about the three candidates:

Rudolph Davis Sr.

AGE:  53

FAMILY:  Wife, Ursula Davis., 5 children

OCCUPATION:  Retired police captain

EDUCATION:  Associate degree in criminal justice

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:  First time running for political office

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP THREE ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

  • No unity between law enforcement in the communities
  • Illegal Drugs in the communities
  • Need increase law enforcement presence in communities

  • HOW CAN YOU HELP VOTERS IN A WAY THAT OTHERS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE CANNOT?

    • "By creating programs that build a closer relationship with all communities, and by using the United States Constitution as our foundation and guide."

    WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

    • "Lowing the crime rate, building closer working relationships with all communities, and ridding our communities of illegal drugs"


    CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:  voterudolphdavisforsheriff.info

    Carl Hodson

    AGE:  50

    FAMILY:  Wife, Laurie Hodson; children: Carl Hodson III, William Hodson and Alexi Hodson; grandchild: Kendra

    OCCUPATION:  Retired Law Enforcement Officer (30 years)

    EDUCATION:  Over 400 hours of law enforcement related courses

    POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:  None

    WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP THREE ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

  • Officer Safety
  • More diverse agency
  • Operating Budget
  • HOW CAN YOU HELP VOTERS IN A WAY THAT OTHERS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE CANNOT?

    • "By using my 30 years of Law Enforcement experience, paper qualifications are no substitute for real-life experience. By being an ardent voice for our community through dedication and principled public service. I will stand in the gap for my citizens and uphold the law without playing favorites. I will train my deputies so they understand how to handle situations and interact with the public to achieve a positive result. I will regain the public trust through reliability, good qualities especially fairness, truth, honor and ability. I am willing to roll up my sleeves and make a positive difference for the community I want to serve and love so much."

    WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

  • "Establish a career service program for all employee's
  • "Establish a more diverse agency
  • "Having a positive impact on the Sheriff's Office, it's employee's and the community
  • "Better public relations between Sheriff's Office employees and the community"
  • CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:  carlhodsonforsheriff.com

    Mark Hunter

    AGE:  51

    FAMILY:  Married to Marilyn for 30 years; 2 daughters: Leslie & Natalie; 1 granddaughter: Keyleigh

    OCCUPATION:  Sheriff of Columbia County

    EDUCATION:  Columbia High School; B.A. degree in organizational management; Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army; FDLE Chief Executive Seminar, 2009

    POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:  Columbia County sheriff for the past 3½ years

    WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE THREE BIGGEST ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

  • Maintain adequate funding to support the current and future level of services to the community
  • Continue to utilize cutting edge technologies to assist in crime fighting
  • Maintain and develop our current and future leadership
  • HOW CAN YOU HELP VOTERS IN A WAY THAT OTHERS RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE CANNOT?

    • "By providing proven effective leadership skills and experience needed to continue the progress that the Columbia County Sheriff's Office has made over the past 3½ years"


    WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

    • "As having earned the Communities trust, support and confidence in the Columbia County Sheriff's Office."


    CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:  MarkHunterForSheriff.com