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Scott County Sheriff Loses Re-Election To Randy Shores

SCOTT COUNTY (KFSM) — Voters have elected a new sheriff to serve and protect their county. Incumbent Democrat Scott County Sheriff Terry Staggs was ousted in th...

SCOTT COUNTY (KFSM) — Voters have elected a new sheriff to serve and protect their county.

Incumbent Democrat Scott County Sheriff Terry Staggs was ousted in the run-off election.

"I just want to thank the voters for getting out, voting for me and hope for their continued support," said Sheriff-Elect Randy Shores.

Scott County Clerk Barbara Whiteley said the final unofficial numbers are Shores with 1,039 votes and Staggs with 539.

"I think that it was time we had a new sheriff, and I think the right one got in," said voter Fran Isham.

All 26 precincts in the county are included, as well as early and absentee votes, Whiteley said.

Shores said he will have an open door policy. He also plans to tackle the drug and theft problem in Scott County.

"I'm going to get a couple of guys to assign them just to that project to do our best to work on it," he said.

The sheriff-elect does not have prior experience working in law enforcement but said he is confident he is the right person for the job.

"Well I've owned and operated my own businesses for 21 years, and I feel that will give me the knowledge I need to run the sheriff's office," Shores said. "There's a lot of financial decisions, and I believe I could make them with that experience and maybe find ways to cut costs and do a better job."

He also feels the sheriff's office doesn't have a good relationship with its citizens, so he is ready to change that.

Shore explained, "I want people to be able to come and visit me, tell me their problems and concern, and I plan on being active in the community where I can be seen and talked to."

5NEWS could not reach the ousted sheriff for comment, but he posted on Facebook:

"I'd like to thank everyone who voted and supported me during this election. It's been a great 17 years at the sheriff's office. Excited to see what God has in store for this next chapter in my life."

"I just wish him good luck," Shores said. "He ran a good race and I'd like to thank him for the years he spent as deputy and as sheriff."

Shores will take office Jan. 1, 2017. He will serve a two-year term.

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