Jefferson County voters gave Sheriff Mark Pettway a decisive third‑term victory on Tuesday night, confirming his leadership of the county’s law‑enforcement agency for another four years. Official unofficial results show Pettway earned 161,436 votes, or 66.07%, while Republican nominee Jacob Reach received 82,919 votes, or 33.93%.
Celebration at the City Club
A crowd of more than 80 friends, family members and community supporters gathered at the City Club in downtown Birmingham to celebrate Pettway’s win alongside U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell’s re‑election. Attendees watched the vote tally on a monitor near the podium, cheering as the numbers confirmed a strong evening for Democratic candidates in Jefferson County.
Pettway’s Message of Service
When the results were clear after midnight, Pettway thanked supporters and turned the focus to his plans for the next term. “We worked hard, and we know that we’ve done a great job,” he said. “We’re gonna wait ‘til it is called. We’re not gonna be premature.” He then outlined priorities: partnering with local business founders, making the community safer, building trust with neighborhoods, expanding opportunities for youth, and increasing pay for deputies.
Opposition’s Respectful Concession
Republican challenger Jacob Reach, who ran on a platform of supporting deputies and county citizens, acknowledged the outcome without bitterness. “I was retired and blessed before I ran and I’m still blessed,” Reach said. “I didn’t run for power or position. I ran to benefit the deputies and the citizens of Jefferson County.”
Local Leaders Highlight Importance of County Races
Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr reminded listeners that local contests matter as much as national races. “I know we’ve all been paying attention to national races, but the local races matter just as much, and it’s been a great turnout,” Carr said.
Sheriff Pettway added that a safe environment is essential for attracting businesses and families. “We want to make sure that people want to come here for business, that people want to live here,” he said. “So, it is very important to make sure that we got public safety.”
Public‑Safety Morale on the Rise
Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, who ran unopposed, praised the sheriff’s impact on department morale and crime rates. “Morale with the sheriff’s department was very low when Sheriff Pettway took over, and the crime was very high. And now — if you look at it now — morale is high, and the crime is down. So what else can you ask a sheriff to do?” Tyson said.
Community Programs and Youth Outreach
Since first taking office in 2018 as Jefferson County’s first Black sheriff, Pettway has championed youth initiatives such as the Law Enforcement Athletic Program and the “Books Not Bullets” literacy partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham. He believes these programs help steer young people away from the “pipeline to prison.”
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell echoed Pettway’s success, noting a recent decline in the murder rate in Birmingham and Jefferson County. “We finally are seeing a decrease in the percentage of murders that are happening in Jefferson County and in Birmingham,” she said, crediting the sheriff’s community‑engagement efforts.
Looking Ahead
With the new term set to begin in January, Sheriff Pettway’s office will continue to focus on building trust with neighborhoods, expanding youth opportunities and ensuring deputies receive competitive raises. The celebration at the City Club underscored the community’s confidence that his leadership will keep Jefferson County safe and prosperous.
Original reporting: BirminghamWatch — read the source article.
