Incumbent Callahan County Sheriff Getting Ganged Up On in Campaign
By: Josh Berry
Updated: April 3, 2012
Incumbent Callahan County Sheriff John Windham is hoping for a re-election into a second term, but two contenders are looking to unseat him.
It seems the Sheriff may be getting ganged up on. The challengers aren't necessarily against each other, only wanting to unseat the current Sheriff.
Of all the candidates Terry Joy has the most years in law enforcement under his belt, 37 in all.
Joy grew up in Callahan County, and now wants to be the Sheriff of the place he's called home for all his years.
"I grew up here in Callahan County," Joy said. "I have a lot of fond memories here and I take a lot of pride in being a Callahan County citizen."
But he's not the only challenger to the incumbent Sheriff.
Steve Livingston wants the spot as well. But they aren't necessarily out to get each other, only the incumbent. Both claims a change is needed.
Livingston explained, "You have a couple people running and I think that would be a very clear indication that people are not happy with they way things are going and they want to change."
Livingston has been in law enforcement for 25 years, most of which with the Abilene Police Department. He's also the former mayor of Clyde.
Rather than have their patrol out on the highway, Livingston wants to increase the visibility out in the rural areas.
"Basically our biggest thing that we have going for us is to be visible in the county."
Incumbent Sheriff John Windham wants visibility as well, but not the kind he gets campaigning for his position. Throughout the process he plans to be noticed working his usual job.
Sheriff Windham has 25 years in law enforcement and he's been sheriff since January of 2009.
In his first term he said he's made a dent in illegal narcotics and plans to continue cracking down.
"I want to continue to enforce the illegal narcotics and try to get the people behind bars where they need to be," said Sheriff Windham.
He claims that neither of the other candidates has the education necessary in county government to be Sheriff. He went as far to say Joy has been retired too long.
"You know we've got laws that change every other year."
But for Joy what matters are three basic fundamentals of law enforcement: education, prevention and enforcement.
Joy said, "I will be a full time sheriff and I will answer and follow up on all calls."
One concern brought up about Terry Joy is his age. He said when someone asks him,"Aren't you too old to be sheriff?", he challenges them to a mile run.
No one has taken him up on his offer.
There is only one other contested race in Callahan County.
Rick McGowen is challenging incumbent Commissioner of Precinct 1, Harold Hicks.
It seems the Sheriff may be getting ganged up on. The challengers aren't necessarily against each other, only wanting to unseat the current Sheriff.
Of all the candidates Terry Joy has the most years in law enforcement under his belt, 37 in all.
Joy grew up in Callahan County, and now wants to be the Sheriff of the place he's called home for all his years.
"I grew up here in Callahan County," Joy said. "I have a lot of fond memories here and I take a lot of pride in being a Callahan County citizen."
But he's not the only challenger to the incumbent Sheriff.
Steve Livingston wants the spot as well. But they aren't necessarily out to get each other, only the incumbent. Both claims a change is needed.
Livingston explained, "You have a couple people running and I think that would be a very clear indication that people are not happy with they way things are going and they want to change."
Livingston has been in law enforcement for 25 years, most of which with the Abilene Police Department. He's also the former mayor of Clyde.
Rather than have their patrol out on the highway, Livingston wants to increase the visibility out in the rural areas.
"Basically our biggest thing that we have going for us is to be visible in the county."
Incumbent Sheriff John Windham wants visibility as well, but not the kind he gets campaigning for his position. Throughout the process he plans to be noticed working his usual job.
Sheriff Windham has 25 years in law enforcement and he's been sheriff since January of 2009.
In his first term he said he's made a dent in illegal narcotics and plans to continue cracking down.
"I want to continue to enforce the illegal narcotics and try to get the people behind bars where they need to be," said Sheriff Windham.
He claims that neither of the other candidates has the education necessary in county government to be Sheriff. He went as far to say Joy has been retired too long.
"You know we've got laws that change every other year."
But for Joy what matters are three basic fundamentals of law enforcement: education, prevention and enforcement.
Joy said, "I will be a full time sheriff and I will answer and follow up on all calls."
One concern brought up about Terry Joy is his age. He said when someone asks him,"Aren't you too old to be sheriff?", he challenges them to a mile run.
No one has taken him up on his offer.
There is only one other contested race in Callahan County.
Rick McGowen is challenging incumbent Commissioner of Precinct 1, Harold Hicks.
