Jackson County NAACP held candidate town hall ahead of August primary

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Jackson County residents had the opportunity to learn more about candidates running in the August primary election during the Jackson County NAACP’s voter education town hall Thursday.

“Tonight can really make it or break it for some people. It is going to be based on their poise and how they respond to the people’s questions,” Jackson County NAACP President Adrian Abner said.

Several candidates and residents attended the meeting to talk about matters most important to them.

“It’s important to educate our voters tonight because a lot of times this has not happened, and individuals voted based on who they knew, or who they were connected to, not for the principles they stood on,” Abner said.

Candidates started by introducing themselves, then they answered a few questions asked by the moderator. Up first was State Attorney Larry Basford and his opponent Defense Attorney Eric Garmon.

Garmon said the State Attorney’s office needs better leadership.

“Doing the right thing is, in fact, not always the popular thing. That’s what you’re looking for. You need a leader. You need somebody who’s not afraid to do that. That’s not currently being done,” Garmon said.

However, Basford said much of the office’s success is owed to his leadership.

“During my career, I have led by example. That is the reason why we have been so successful in the state attorney’s office. When we go to court, we go as a team. We go to seek justice,” Basford said.

Jackson County Sheriff’s candidates Chris Brannon, Lee Keith, and Jeffrey O’Pry each spoke on the importance of a new sheriff and why they’d be the right choice.

“Historically, the sheriff has only been a figure here, a politician. I’m not a politician, God almighty government was formed to only do one thing at the beginning, which was to provide safety and security for you and me,” Keith said.

“Not everybody has to go to jail. There are some cases where you need to be able to identify the triggers of some of the people in our communities that are going through episodes, and we’ll provide the proper training,” Brannon said.

“You have to be a good leader and a good motivator. You want to motivate that employee to do their job and do it properly,” O’Pry said.

Most of the candidates attending are running for countywide offices in Jackson County.

Incumbent Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield was invited but did not attend the event. He’s already been the subject of a recent NAACP news conference and town hall meeting over a controversial 2022 arrest.

Primary elections will take place August 20.

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