Oklahoma County voters to choose new sheriff Tuesday
Oklahoma County will have a new sheriff for the first time in 20 years after voters go to the polls Tuesday for a special general election.
On the ballot are three candidates — Oklahoma County Undersheriff P.D. Taylor, Oklahoma County sheriff’s deputy Mike Hanson and Canadian County sheriff’s deputy Ed Grimes.
The sheriff for the past 20 years, John Whetsel, retired March 1 after coming under investigation because of accusations of financial mismanagement. No charges were ever filed.
The winner Tuesday will complete the last three years and three months of Whetsel’s term.
Way ahead in fundraising and leading in the polls is Taylor, 71, an Oklahoma City Republican who took over as acting sheriff after Whetsel retired. Taylor was Whetsel’s undersheriff for almost 14 years.
To win, though, he must overcome both voter apathy and voter frustration with problems at the overcrowded jail including the high number of inmate deaths.
“I am the most experienced, qualified candidate,” said Taylor, who joined the sheriff’s office 20 years ago after working for the Oklahoma City Police Department for 26 years.
“I feel good about my ability,” he said. “Yes, we have a lot of issues. Yes, we have a lot of problems. But I also feel very confident that I can make the changes and turn this place around.”
Since the special primary election in April, the sheriff’s race has become low key. Far fewer campaign signs, for instance, have been put up. Hanson, in particular, has been hurt by a lack of donations in his effort to get his name out to voters.
Both Hanson, a Choctaw Democrat, and Grimes, an Oklahoma City independent, have gone on the attack during the campaign. Both have criticized Taylor at debates and on Facebook.
Hanson, 54, has worked for the Oklahoma County sheriff’s office since 1986, starting as a reserve deputy. He became a full-time deputy in 1998. Hanson is currently a sergeant assigned to courthouse security.
“People ... are telling me they want change,” Hanson said.
About Taylor, Hanson said, “I know he’s got ideas of great change but as long as he’s surrounding himself with the people that Whetsel surrounded himself with, ain’t nothing going to change.”
Grimes, 63, has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience, mostly with the Oklahoma City Police Department. He was undersheriff in Canadian County for four years — from January 2009 to January 2013.
He still serves there as a deputy. He also has worked extensively with the U.S. Marshals Service tracking down fugitives. Grimes has been harsh in his comments about Taylor. In a debate in August, he said, “There’s too much unaccountability. Too many deaths . ... Too many broken promises. Too many excuses.”
In a campaign ad, Grimes promised voters “to provide you with more public service and less politics.”
Because of such criticism, Taylor has sought to distance himself from his former boss. “I’ve faced this issue from March 2 forward,” Taylor said at the debate in August. “The difference between me and Mr. Whetsel is night and day.”
Taylor has raised the most of the three — more than $140,000 overall, his reports show. He spent almost $60,000 in donations to win the special primary election April 4, beating three other GOP candidates.
Among Taylor’s most notable donors is a friend, Barry Switzer.
The former University of Oklahoma football coach gave $2,000, reports show. Switzer also has appeared in campaign ads endorsing Taylor.
Through Aug. 28, Grimes reported raising $11,532. Through July 31, Hanson has reported raising $1,650.
If Taylor wins, as expected, he hopes to run again in 2020.
“I live each day to the fullest, and you’re not promised tomorrow,” Taylor told The Oklahoman. “But if I’m blessed to be healthy and feel good, yes, I will run again.”