CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Mike Oliver won a hotly contested race for Montgomery County sheriff Thursday, defeating Johnny Ransdell and Dexter Mines.
Oliver told Clarksville Now winning was “an ecstatic feeling.” He said the campaign was a “lot of hard work.” “A lot of people poured their heart and soul into this campaign,” he said. “My campaign team is the one to thank for all of this hard work paying off. It’s just a great feeling.”
Oliver won with 42.5% of the vote to Ransdell’s 34.2% and Mines’ 23.1%. Oliver will replace Sheriff John Fuson, who decided not to run for re-election.
Oliver: ‘It is time to set politics aside and focus on what matters’
While the race got heated at times, the mud-slinging seemed to come from the candidates’ supporters, with the three candidates being friendly with one another at campaign events.
In a statement on his campaign page, Oliver said, “As we move forward, it is time to set politics aside and focus on what matters most: protecting our schools, our neighborhoods, supporting the dedicated men and women of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, strengthening partnerships throughout our community, and ensuring that our Sheriff’s Office remains one that every citizen can trust.
| MORE: Election results: Oliver wins sheriff, Golden re-elected, 3 commission seats flipped
“Beginning on day one, my administration will focus on building an organization that is accessible, approachable, and accountable. We will work to recruit and retain outstanding deputies, strengthen relationships with our community, increase transparency, and continue making Montgomery County one of the safest places to live, work, and raise a family.”
Thursday night, Oliver told Clarksville Now: “You cannot do anything without family or religion. I’ve got both of them, and my pastor was even here tonight with me. We cannot do anything in life without Christ.”
Dexter Mines said Oliver is a friend of his and that he supports him. “The people of Montgomery County have spoken, and we respect … what they decided,” Mines told Clarksville Now.
He said he is unsure what his next steps are. “We’re praying about it and we’re going to let God decide what that is,” he said, and running for office again is “always a possibility.”
Clarksville Now has reached out to Johnny Ransdell for comment.
| MORE: Election news, including candidate announcements
About the candidates
Dexter Mines, a veteran and an independent candidate, served in several law enforcement agencies over 22 years, including the Greenbrier Police Department, MCSO, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, and as assistant director of the Tennessee POST Commission.
Mike Oliver, a Republican, has over 32 years of law enforcement experience, beginning with the Tennessee Department of Corrections and then with MCSO. He has worked in Corrections, Road Patrol, K-9 Unit, Drug Task Force and the Special Victims Unit.
Johnny Ransdell, retired, is an independent candidate whose 31-year career with the Clarksville Police Department included time on the Fatal Accident Crash Team, Juvenile Engagement Team, Street Crimes Unit, Special Operations Unit and Major Crimes Unit.
Jazmin Logan, Nick Arvin and Christian Brown contributed to this report.
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