2023–24 Caddo Parish sheriff election

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2023–24 Caddo Parish sheriff election
Flag of Louisiana.svg
← 2019October 14, 2023 (first round)
November 18, 2023 (runoff)
March 23, 2024 (rerun)		2027 →
 
CandidateHenry L. Whitehorn, Sr.John NickelsonEric Hatfield
Party Democratic Republican Republican
First round15,890
34.50%		20,554
44.63%		2,912
6.32%
Runoff (voided)21,624
50.001%		21,623
49.999%		Eliminated
Runoff (rerun)34,752
53.27%		30,487
46.73%
 
CandidateHersy Jones, Jr.
Party Democratic
First round2,473
5.37%
Runoff (voided)Eliminated
2023 Caddo Parish Sheriff election results by precinct.svg
2023 Caddo Parish Sheriff runoff election results by precinct.svg
2024 Caddo Parish Sheriff election results by precinct.svg
  No votes
Sheriff before election

Jay Long (acting) [lower-alpha 1]

Elected Sheriff

Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr.
Democratic

Caddo Parish held its regularly-scheduled election for sheriff in 2023 as part of the 2023 Louisiana elections. Incumbent Republican Steve Prator retired, leaving an open seat. In the first round, held on October 14, Republican John Nickelson and Democrat Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr. were the highest-placing candidates, advancing to a November 18 runoff. In the runoff, Whitehorn beat Nickelson by exactly one vote; however, Nickelson filed a lawsuit seeking a rerun of the election due to various alleged irregularities.

Contents

The rerun election was held on March 23, 2024, alongside the presidential primaries in the state. Whitehorn won the rerun election with 53.27% of the vote, becoming Caddo Parish's first Black sheriff.

Background

The election was held with the typical Louisiana primary system, where all candidates, regardless of party, run in a primary together, and a runoff is held if no candidate receives a majority of the first-round vote. [2] The election's first round was scheduled for October 14, [3] as part of the 2023 Louisiana elections, with a runoff, if necessary, to be held on November 18. [4]

First round

Candidates

Campaign

On June 1, 2023, six-term incumbent Republican Steve Prator announced plans to run for reelection. [9] On June 13, Democrat Henry Whitehorn announced his candidacy. [10] Prator then announced on June 30 that he would be retiring due to recently being diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease. [11] Republican John Nickelson entered the race on July 16 at the urging of Prator, whose endorsement he immediately received. [12]

Combined partisan vote in the primary by precinct. Democrats 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% >90% Republicans 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% >90% 2023 Caddo Parish Sheriff election combined party vote by precinct.svg
Combined partisan vote in the primary by precinct.
  Democrats
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   >90%
  Republicans
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   >90%

Results

Nickelson placed first, receiving 44.63% of the vote; however, as he did not receive a majority, he advanced to a runoff against Whitehorn, who came in second with 34.50% of the vote. [3] Including Nickelson, Republican candidates in the primary received a combined 56% of the vote, [2] though voter turnout was quite low, at only 30% of registered voters. [13]

2023 Caddo Parish sheriff election [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John Nickelson 20,554 44.63
Democratic Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr. 15,890 34.50
Republican Eric Hatfield2,9126.32
Democratic Hersy Jones, Jr.2,4735.37
Republican Shayne Gibson2,2244.83
Democratic Patricia "Pat" Gilley2,0014.34
Total votes46,054 100.0

Runoff

Campaign

Nickelson criticized Whitehorn for his work in Adrian Perkins's administration as mayor of Shreveport; Whitehorn served as Shreveport's chief administrative officer from 2020 to 2022. [2] Whitehorn argued that Nickelson's lack of relevant experience meant he would not understand the challenges law enforcement officers face. [2]

Results

The result of the runoff was extraordinarily close, with Whitehorn leading Nickelson by only one vote. Nickelson requested a recount, held on November 27. [4] Only mail-in ballots were recounted. Caddo Parish Clerk of Court Mike Spence, responsible for the election, noted the unusual nature of the close race. [15] The recount found three more votes for each candidate, leaving the overall result unchanged. [16]

2023 Caddo Parish sheriff runoff election [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr.21,62450.001
Republican John Nickelson21,62349.999
Total votes43,247 100.0

Court challenges and rerun

Court challenge

After his apparent loss, Nickelson called for a second runoff election, claiming that at least two people voted twice in the election, as well as at least five votes from dead people being counted. [18] Following the recount, Nickelson filed a lawsuit in the Caddo District Court, with Whitehorn and Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin as defendants. His filing requested that the court either declare a victor or order a second election. [19] The case was heard initially by retired Louisiana Supreme Court justice Joseph Bleich after three Caddo District judges recused from the case. [20] Whitehorn's response, filed on December 4, argued that Nickelson did not challenge the disputed absentee ballots before election day, and that Nickelson did not demonstrate that an election without the issues he presented would result in a different outcome. [21]

On December 5, Bleich ruled in favor of Nickelson, ordering that a rerun election take place. The ruling noted that Nickelson had definitively proven eleven illegally-cast votes, exceeding the one-vote margin of victory. [22] Whitehorn appealed the ruling to the state's 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal, which upheld Bleich's ruling on December 12. [23] Whitehorn's request to appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court was denied, ensuring a rerun election, to be held concurrently with the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries in the state on March 23, 2024. [24] Both the Court of Appeals decision and the Supreme Court decision were decided along partisan lines, with Democrats in support of upholding Whitehorn's victory and Republicans in support of a rerun election. [25]

Campaign

As Whitehorn is Black, while Nickelson is White, many Democrats felt that Whitehorn's initial victory being overturned by the Court was reminiscent of Jim Crow-era restrictions on Black participation in politics. [25] While the Louisiana Democratic Party made this comparison, Whitehorn himself avoided the topic. [26] Nickelson claimed that these comparisons were "racially divisive" and that he intended to represent everyone in Caddo Parish, regardless of their race. [26]

Organizations supporting Whitehorn's campaign, including Black Voters Matter, focused on increasing Black voter registration. [27]

Results

Whitehorn won the rerun election with 53.27% of the vote. [28] His victory was clear on election night, with Nickelson conceding the race before midnight. [25] Whitehorn's victory makes him the first Black sheriff of Caddo Parish. [25]

2023 Caddo Parish sheriff runoff election (rerun) [28]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Henry L. Whitehorn, Sr. 34,752 53.27
Republican John Nickelson30,48746.73
Total votes65,239 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

Aftermath

Henry Whitehorn will be sworn in as sheriff on July 1, 2024. [1]

The defeat of Steve Prator's handpicked successor indicates a change in local politics, as Prator was one of Caddo Parish's most successful and prominent politicians. As Prator was strongly opposed to criminal justice reform, Nickelson's defeat indicates a potential shift in favor of more reform. According to political commentator Jeffrey D. Sadow, Nickelson's success in even making it to the runoff election should be attributed to Prator's support, as he otherwise was "not anybody's first choice or even tenth choice to run for sheriff". [27]

Notes

  1. ↑ Steve Prator resigned from office on February 29, 2024, following his appointment to the Louisiana Board of Pardons by governor Jeff Landry. Jay Long, the parish's chief deputy sheriff, was sworn in on March 1, 2024, to hold the office until July 1. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 Thomas, Rachael (March 1, 2024). "Interim Caddo Parish sheriff sworn in". KSLA . Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Heffernan, Brendan (October 18, 2023). "John Nickelson, Henry Whitehorn Sr. bring competing visions, journeys, to historic Caddo sheriff race". The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Lacen, Marlo (October 15, 2023). "Whitehorn, Nickelson head to run off in Caddo Parish Sheriff's race". KTAL-TV . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Heyen, Curtis (November 19, 2023). "Nickelson officially requests recount after appearing to lose to Whitehorn by 1 vote". KSLA . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Duvernay, Adam (July 21, 2023). "3 candidates are in the race for Caddo sheriff seat". The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate . Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Boucher, Makenzie (October 27, 2023). "Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate receives endorsement from primary candidates". The Times . Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  7. ↑ Lacen, Marlo (11 August 2023). "Here's who qualified for October elections in Caddo Parish". KTAL-TV . Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  8. ↑ Lacen, Marlo (September 14, 2023). "Hersy Jones is running for Caddo sheriff to stand against crime, restore neighborhoods". KTAL-TV . Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  9. ↑ Boucher, Makenzie. "Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announces re-election bid". The Times . Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  10. ↑ Knight, Tamer; Thomas, Rachael (June 13, 2023). "Henry Whitehorn to officially challenge Prator for sheriff position". KSLA . Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  11. ↑ Thomas, Rachael; Franklin, Jasmine (June 30, 2023). "Caddo sheriff announces he's retiring in 2024 after 20+ years in position". KSLA . Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  12. ↑ Boucher, Makenzie (July 16, 2023). "Former City Councilman John Nickelson is running for Caddo Parish Sheriff". The Times . Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  13. ↑ Duvernay, Adam (October 16, 2023). "Caddo and Bossier voter turnout among lowest in Louisiana". The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Official Election Results - Results for Election Date: 10/14/2023 - Caddo". Louisiana Secretary of State . Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  15. ↑ Dawson, Daffney; Maxwell, Steven (November 20, 2023). "Caddo clerk of court speaks on expected recount in sheriff's race". KSLA . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  16. ↑ Swanson, Christa; Defran, Brittany; Stephens, Matthew; Jovic, Dan (27 November 2023). "Whitehorn remains Caddo Sheriff-elect after recount; Nickelson files suit". KTAL-TV . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Official Election Results - Results for Election Date: 11/18/2023 - Caddo". Louisiana Secretary of State . Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Caddo Sheriff's Race: Nickelson asks Whitehorn to join him in special election request". KTAL-TV . November 25, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  19. ↑ Boucher, Makenzie. "Caddo Sheriff candidate files lawsuit following one-vote margin". The Times . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  20. ↑ Hazelton, Brittney; Heyen, Curtis (November 30, 2023). "Decision in Caddo sheriff election challenge could come sometime next week". KSLA . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  21. ↑ Boucher, Makenzie. "Henry Whitehorn files response to John Nickelson's brief in Caddo sheriff election lawsuit". The Times . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  22. ↑ Boucher, Makenzie. "What did the judge rule in the Caddo Parish Sheriff lawsuit? Here's what you need to know". The Times . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  23. ↑ Boucher, Makenzie (December 12, 2023). "Appeals court upholds decision for new election in Caddo Sheriff's race". The Times . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  24. ↑ Boucher, Makenzie (December 28, 2023). "Louisiana Supreme Court won't hear Caddo Sheriff's race appeal. Whitehorn reacts". The Times . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (March 26, 2024). "How to elect a Louisiana sheriff: Runoff, recount, reversal, repeat". Washington Post . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  26. 1 2 Heffernan, Brendan (February 12, 2024). "Henry Whitehorn and John Nickelson address 'racial division' in Caddo Parish sheriff race". The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  27. 1 2 Heffernan, Brendan (April 1, 2024). "What does the end of the Sheriff Steve Prator era mean for Caddo Parish politics?". The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate . Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  28. 1 2 "Official Election Results - Results for Election Date: 3/23/2024 - Caddo". Louisiana Secretary of State . Retrieved April 1, 2024.
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