Richland County sheriff has potential competition in March 19, 2024 primary

Richland County residents won't go to the polls to consider a candidate for sheriff until the March 19, 2024 primary, but incumbent Sheriff J. Steve Sheldon and one of his former detectives have both already picked up petitions to enter the race.

According to the Richland County Board of Elections, Sheldon, Richland County's sheriff since 2004, picked up his petitions in June.

Matt Mayer, who ran unsuccessfully against Sheldon as a Democrat in 2016, picked up petitions July 17, indicating he is running as a member of the Republican Party, according to the board of elections.

Candidates must first pick up petitions and gather signatures, the board then reviews the signatures and then the final step to make the run official is the board validating the filings.

Mayer worked at sheriff's office for 25 years

Mayer began his stint at the sheriff's office in 1988, saying his goal was to become sheriff. After losing the election in 2016, he said he wasn't ruling out another bid.

He worked with the Richland County Sheriff's Office for 25 years, spending most of that time in the detective bureau. He rose to the rank of sergeant and retired in 2013.

Mayer, 63, a graduate of the Ohio State University, earned the Distinguished Law Enforcement Lifetime Achievement Award for his decorated career in 2020 from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Mayer said in his 45 years of voting he was pretty much split ticket.

"I pretty much think the Democratic Party has pretty much changed over the last two decades," Mayer said. "I pretty much vote Republican on candidates and the conservative issues over the last two decades."

Mayer said if he knows Democrats personally he votes for them.

He wants to be the sheriff because it has always been a goal he set.

"I want to do it because I think I can make a difference in Richland County as far as the crime. And I think I do a good job of administrating on that aspect. You always can have good people come and help you. I'm not knocking the sheriff or anything but my desire is to run it a certain way and focus on fighting crime and resolving crime. I thought we've done a pretty good job on that over the decades."

He said with 35 years in law enforcement, he misses the sheriff's office. He has worked for the past six years at the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy, an area stretching 18 counties.

Longest serving Richland County sheriff

Sheldon, 68, has served four terms as sheriff and is currently in his fifth term. He ran unopposed for his second and third terms, in 2008 and 2012.

Sheldon worked at the Mansfield Police Department before coming to the sheriff's office. He also worked at the Crestline Police Department. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral science from Grand Canyon College, Phoenix, Ariz., and an associate's degree in law enforcement from North Central Technical College.

"I started off the first day with a homicide and six days later the ice storm. I love the sheriff's office and feel that most of the employees do also and are proud to be part of the operation. When we are fully staffed we have about 150 employees which includes the jail, 911, records,  the law enforcement and administration. We have about a $20 million budget and work well with the courts and other elected officials," Sheldon said. "The Board of Commissioners are great to work with and are very supportive of our needs."

Some of the accomplishments that have occurred since Sheldon has been sheriff include: New jail built and opened in 2008; partnership with the U.S. Marshal's Office for over 10 years; creation of the Richland County Fugitive Task Force with over 10,000 warrants served; MARCS radio system implementation including the new Lucas tower which led to new cell service on the tower; certified by national CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies); rotation of sheriff's cars implemented which has the fleet in the best shape ever.

Sheldon was instrumental in Project Starfish's startup and Project Lifesaver. A new 911 center was built during his tenure and computers, equipment, software and many more items have been updated, he said.

"I think that it is extremely important to say that none of these items could have been accomplished without the assistance of great employees, the commissioners, auditor, courts and others," Sheldon said.

To date, no other sheriff hopefuls have picked up petitions for sheriff. Candidates must file petitions by Dec. 20, according to the board of elections.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @lwhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Matt Mayer, formerly of RCSO, to run for sheriff as a Republican