Recount called in Macon Sheriff race
Brent Holbrooks, left, and Derek Jones, right
A recount has been called in the Macon County Sheriff’s race after Election day totals indicated Dereck Jones lost to Brent Holbrooks by just 54 votes — putting Jones within the 1% threshold required to do so.
Holbrooks tallied 2,368 votes to Jones’ 2,314. The next closest vote-getter was Clay Bryson with 1,123.
Jones and Holbrooks are both MCSO deputes — Jones a captain and Holbrooks a lieutenant — under Sheriff Robert Holland.
Jones formally requested the recount May 19, as confirmed to Blue Ridge Public Radio by Macon County Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault. Thibault told BPR she expected Jones to make that request.
“It’s usually more so in the local elections. With it being so close, regardless of which one won if it went the other way I think that a recount would have been asked for also,” said Thibault.
Jones said he initially wasn’t sure he’d even want to call for a recount, but after talking to others, the decision was clear.
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“After obviously running such a hard race and to come up 54 votes shy of Mr. Holbrooks and after much consideration, I decided to call for the recount,” Jones said. “My supporters and even individuals who didn’t support me said it’d be wise to ask for that recount.”
“I’ve received hundreds of messages advising that I should ask for a recount,” Jones added.
The recount will be held after canvassing is completed on May 27. The canvassing process will determine the total count of ballots, including absentee ballots. Thibault told BPR that they don’t yet have a date and time the recount will take place but that they’re working on scheduling it. No matter what, it’d likely be after Memorial Day.
Jones said that if after the recount, he still lost the race, he’ll be happy to declare Holbrooks the victor.
“As a colleague and more especially as a longtime friend, I will back Mr. Holbrooks 100% in the future, and we’ll be glad to call him the sheriff of Macon County,” Jones said.
