New sheriff in town

Escambia County will have a new sheriff for the first time in 16 years after Republican Heath Jackson defeated Democrat, and current Escambia County Sheriff's Office chief deputy, Mike Lambert in Tuesday's General Election.

Jackson defeated Lambert 6,426 to 5,693, taking in 53 percent of the votes, to Lambert's 46.96 percent.

During a campaign party in Brewton following the election, Jackson – a current sergeant with the Escambia County Sheriff's Department in Florida - said he is excited to put Escambia County Alabama back on the map in terms of law enforcement effectiveness.

"First thing: I'm a Republican," Jackson told the crowd. "When everybody told us that this county would never change, we made it happen. Heath Jackson didn't do it. Y'all did it. Starting tomorrow, Escambia County is going to grow leaps and bounds in terms of what we do in law enforcement. People have laughed at us; pointed fingers at us and didn't think we were professional enough to do that job; that is over."

Jackson said he looks forward to unifying the county under his watch as sheriff.

"At the end of the day, we are one county," he said. "One community. And we are going to act like it. That county jail is fixing to get fixed. This sheriff's department is fixing to get fixed. We are going to train our deputies and we're going to give them the support they need to do their job. We are going to continue to do what needs to be done to take care of the citizens of Escambia County."

In other local elections, State. Rep. Alan Baker was re-elected to a fourth term as representative for House District 66. Baker, a Republican, defeated Democrat Susan Smith taking in 6,857 votes (66 percent) to Smith's 3,530 votes (34 percent).

"I'm truly greatful for the outpouring of broad support," Baker said following the election results. "I'm very honored and blessed to be able to continue in my role as a servant leader. I will continue to devote my full energy to represent all of the citizens in Baldwin and Escambia counties."

In the race for Escambia County Board of Education in District 7, Republican incumbent Coleman Wallace Sr., defeated Independent challenger Amanda "Mandie" Thompson 958 votes (74 percent) to 341 votes (26 percent).

In the race for the Escambia County Commission District 3 seat, Republican Scottie Stewart narrowly defeated Democrat Larry White. Stewart took in 1,510 votes (56 percent) to White's 1,201 votes (44 percent).

Running unopposed in the election were Circuit Clerk John Robert Fountain; Probate Judge Doug Agerton; Escambia County Commissioner for District 1 David Stokes; Escambia County Commissioner for District 5 Karean Reynolds; Escambia County Board of Education representative for District 2 Danny Benjamin and, Escambia County Board of Education representative for District 3 Mike Edwards.