March 25th 2024.
The town of Caddo Parish, Louisiana is buzzing with excitement as they welcome their new sheriff, Henry Whitehorn. For the first time in over 20 years, the town will have a Black sheriff at the helm. The news broke on March 23 when Whitehorn's opponent, John Nickelson, graciously conceded after early and absentee vote counts showed Whitehorn in the lead. With an additional 13,605 votes, Whitehorn's final tally was 34,752, while Nickelson received 11,687 votes. The difference of 4,265 votes between the two candidates was a clear indication of the town's support for Whitehorn.
It was a relief for the voters to finally have a definitive answer after a dramatic turn of events. The previous election in November of 2023 resulted in a one-vote margin, with Whitehorn edging out Nickelson with 21,621 votes to 620. A recount was conducted, but it only added three votes to each candidate, leaving Whitehorn still ahead by one vote. However, Nickelson filed a lawsuit, citing allegations of voter fraud. The case was heard by retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Joseph Bleich, who then ordered a new runoff election between the two candidates.
In response to the ruling, Whitehorn filed an appeal, which was heard by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on December 11. The following day, the court upheld Bleich's decision, solidifying Whitehorn's victory. In his acceptance speech, Whitehorn expressed his gratitude to his supporters and acknowledged the challenges he faced on his journey to the sheriff's office. "When I look back on this election, it's been a tough road," he said. "Ten months of fighting and three victories."
Whitehorn's tough stance on crime has been a major talking point throughout his campaign, and he reassured his supporters that it will remain a top priority for him. The city council's decision to declare a state of emergency in 2023, after a wave of shootings and homicides, further solidified the need for a strong, capable sheriff in Caddo Parish. Whitehorn's opponent had proposed releasing 500 inmates, but Whitehorn made it clear that he would not waver in his tough approach to crime. "I have always been tough on crime, and I have no reason to change now," he declared.
Whitehorn will officially take over as sheriff on July 1, replacing interim Sheriff Jay Long. The retirement of previous sheriff, Steve Prator, opened the door for Whitehorn to make history as the first Black sheriff in Caddo Parish in over two decades. The town is eager to see what the future holds under the leadership of Sheriff Henry Whitehorn.
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