The 2026 primary election is over (finally). Two of the three local ballot items of top interest to Jackson Parish voters have been resolved: Rachel Shively won the Clerk of Court race, and the Law Enforcement Millage Renewal Referendum passed. Still to be decided is the race for Jackson Parish Sheriff between the top two vote getters, Brent Barnett and Israel Smith, set for June 27th. 

Now that all the mud has been slung (hopefully) and the dust has settled, the candidates for the various local offices have shown tremendous class by issuing statements about the election and expressing appreciation to their supporters. 

Brent Barnett – Jackson Parish Sheriff Candidate

First, I want to thank the citizens of Jackson Parish for your overwhelming support of the law enforcement millage renewal. Your vote to continue this long-standing funding source demonstrates your commitment to public safety and your confidence in the men and women of the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office. We are grateful for that support.

I also want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote in the Sheriff’s election. Whether you supported another candidate or me, your participation matters. The people of this parish are what make Jackson Parish great, and the fact that so many citizens cared enough to make their voices heard speaks well of our community.

I am honored and humbled by the support I received in the election. While we fell just short of the percentage needed to avoid a runoff, I am deeply grateful for the confidence so many of you have placed in me.

I would also like to thank the other candidates who were willing to step forward and offer themselves for public service. Running for office requires a great deal of time, effort, and personal sacrifice.

To the dedicated men and women of the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office, thank you for what you do each and every day. Your professionalism, commitment, and service to this parish are what make this office strong.

I also want to thank my family, friends, and the many supporters who have stood with me and worked tirelessly throughout this campaign. Your encouragement, prayers, and hard work mean more than I can express.

As we move into the runoff election, my commitment remains the same: to protect and serve Jackson Parish with integrity, courage, and unity through lawful, professional service that builds trust and safeguards our community.

No matter who you supported in the first election, I respectfully ask for your consideration and your vote in the runoff. I would be honored to continue serving as your Sheriff and to continue building an agency that serves every citizen of Jackson Parish with integrity, accountability, and respect.

One Parish. One Team. One Mission.

Israel Smith – Jackson Parish Sheriff Candidate

I just want to take a moment to thank everybody that supported me throughout this campaign. And I especially want to thank the people who supported me publicly. I know that supporting an outspoken and direct candidate is not always easy, and I understand the criticism and pressure that can come with it.

Please know that I am truly grateful, thankful, and proud of every single person that stood beside me during this journey. The support, encouragement, conversations, prayers, and belief in me meant more than words can explain.

I’m also proud of my supporters for staying professional, staying strong, and staying unwavering the entire time. That says a lot about the people who stood with me and believed in what we were fighting for.

No matter what, I will always appreciate the love and support shown to me, my family, and this campaign. Thank you all sincerely.

Cody Cheatwood – Jackson Parish Sheriff Candidate

As I sit here and ponder the election results, I must first give all the glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I have to thank my wife, my family, and all of my supporters for everything that they did. It is a debt that I can’t even begin to repay.

I offer my congratulations to Mr. Barnett and Mr. Smith for making the runoff.

I find it very disheartening that over half of the registered voters in Jackson Parish did not take the time to exercise their right to vote in this election. Our Parish deserves better.

Thank you to the citizens of Jackson Parish for the opportunity to run for office.

Jason Robinson –  Jackson Parish Sheriff Candidate

Thank you to all of our supporters. We might not have won the election, but Jaime and I are the true winners. We have gained so many new friends over the last 7 months. We went into this election with God first and a clean record, and we ran a clean race with integrity, as promised.

God has a purpose for everything he does, and we have learned so much during this process. A special thank you to our families for the support and love shown. We are truly blessed and grateful.
Congratulations to Israel Smith and Brent Barnett for making the run-off.

Jesse Magee – Jackson Parish Sheriff Candidate

To everyone who supported me throughout this campaign, thank you sincerely for standing with me every step of the way. While this was not the outcome we hoped for, I am incredibly grateful for the encouragement, prayers, hard work, and support so many of you gave during this journey.

To everyone who voted, volunteered, shared a post, made a call, donated, or offered kind words — thank you. Your belief in me and in our campaign meant more than I can put into words.
Although we came up short, I am proud of the conversations we started, the relationships we built, and the passion we shared for our community and its future.

Congratulations to my opponents, and thank you again to every person who supported this campaign. I will always be grateful for the trust, confidence, and kindness you showed me throughout this experience.
Thank you all.

Rachel Shively –  Jackson Parish Clerk of Court Candidate

To the people of our parish— Thank you! The choice was yours!

I am truly honored and grateful for the trust you have placed in me to serve as your Clerk of Court. This victory is not mine alone—it belongs to every person who believes in the importance of experience, integrity, and protecting the court system that serves our parish.

Throughout this campaign, I’ve been proud to stand on my experience and knowledge of the Clerk’s Office and my commitment to doing the job the right way—by following the law, respecting the process, and ensuring the office runs efficiently for the people we serve.

I am ready to get to work on day one—maintaining the accuracy of our records, supporting the courts, and providing dependable service to EVERY citizen who walks through the doors of the Clerk’s Office.

Thank you for your confidence, your support, and your belief in steady, capable leadership. I will work every day to uphold the responsibility you have entrusted to me.

Megan Rowe Harrell –  Jackson Parish Clerk of Court Candidate

I just want to say thank you!

While this election didn’t end the way we hoped, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, for every conversation, every prayer, every encouraging word, every sign placed, every door knocked, and every person who believed in me enough to cast a vote in my name. I will never take that lightly.

When I decided to run, I had a few goals in mind.

I wanted to step forward and serve this parish with honesty, professionalism, and heart. I wanted people to feel represented. I wanted to show that leadership, service, and capability can come from many different paths and experiences. And I wanted to run a campaign that my family, my supporters, and this parish could be proud of. And few others. 

Even though we didn’t pull out the win tonight, I truly believe those goals were accomplished.

This campaign gave me the opportunity to meet people across Jackson Parish, hear your stories, listen to your concerns, and build relationships I will carry with me long after tonight. For that alone, I am thankful.

To my family, friends, supporters, and everyone who stood beside me through this journey, thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, and walking this road with me. Your support meant more than I could ever put into words.

And to the voters of Jackson Parish: thank you for allowing me the chance to earn your trust. It has been an honor.

I still believe deeply in this parish and in the people who call it home. And no matter the outcome tonight, I am proud that I stepped forward, worked hard, and gave this race everything I had.

Thank you, Jackson Parish