UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas — The race for sheriff will be on voter’s ballots in Upshur County this election cycle. Incumbent Sheriff Larry Webb is seeking a third term, while his challenger Brandon Williams is wanting to implement change if elected.
Early voting runs from Oct. 21 through Nov. 1 and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. For all your voting needs this election season, visit our East Texas voting guide.
Williams started his law enforcement career at the Upshur County Sheriff's Office in 2007. He then moved into education a few years later teaching criminal justice. Williams is running to help the people of Upshur County that he’s met over the years, noting that’s his connections are his strong points in his campaign.
"Working for the (Upshur County) Sheriff's Office, when I did for seven years, I was in the whole county, so I got to meet a lot of people. And then being a cop in the school district helped me meet more people, and coaching and then just being around people," Williams said. "I'm a people person, and that's kind of where my career has been, just helping people."
Webb wants to stay head of the department as he seeks another term. He has more than 34 years in law enforcement under his belt, including years of service in the U.S. Army and the Long Beach Police Department.
Webb added that his record as sheriff is his strong point in this campaign. He highlighted the upgrades he brought to the department -- like digital radio systems and mobile computers for patrol cars.
"We've done women handgun safety classes. We've done general women's classes. One of our big ones that we've had just here recently was our church safety program that we did where we were here at a church here in Longview," Webb said.
Williams is focused on community engagement and school security as part of his campaign.
"Just making sure that's bulked up more and just make sure our kids are safe and our educators are safe, and then getting the community more involved, which is, I don't see us doing now," Williams said.
In his third term, Webb wants to tackle a statewide mental issue.
"A lot of the problems that we're having really aren't getting addressed on the state level, as far as getting the folks to help that they need, and that's on the law enforcement side," Webb said.
Both candidates are looking to be the man to enforce the law in the county as they encourage voters to exercise their right to make a difference in their community.
"It's very important that the rural communities in this state get out and exercise their right to vote," Webb said.
Williams said it's important to "vote for the man, not the party."
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