Voters in Rabun County will have an opportunity tomorrow, June 18, to vote who the top cop in the county will be. The June 18 runoff is between Mark Gerrells and incumbent Sheriff Chad Nichols.
The runoff resulted from a three candidate race with none of the candidates securing 50% of the vote. In the May 21 primary, Gerrells finished first, securing 45% of the vote with Nichols finishing second, receiving 38% of the vote. In the three candidate race, candidate Marty Talley finished a distant third with 17% of the vote.
The sheriff’s race has been clouded due to the recent arrest of Sheriff Nichols, just 10 days after the May 21 primary election. He was arrested for sexual battery, indecent exposure, and violation of oath of office. Just prior to his arrest, Nichols appointed Major Beth Darnell to oversee the Sheriff’s Office in his absence. As part of his bond conditions, Nichols is prohibited from engaging in or directing any law enforcement activities.
SEE RELATED: Rabun County Sheriff arrested, accused of sexual battery
Now Habersham has reached out to both candidates in the Sheriff’s runoff. We have been unsuccessful in contacting Sheriff Nichols.
However, Now Habersham did speak to candidate Mark Gerrells for his comments. He outlines two things important to him. “I definitely want to strengthen community relationships with the Sheriff’s Office and being more active in the community.” he tells Now Habersham. He adds, “I want to provide a better workplace for the deputies.”
Gerrells also sends a message to the voting community. “I ask the public for their support and their vote for their next Sheriff.” He understands that there are those that will vote for someone other than him. For those voters, he tells Now Habersham that if he wins, “I hope in the next four years that I will win their trust and their support.”
According to the Rabun County website, the county only has one polling place for voters to cast a ballot. Polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m. Voters can vote at Rabun County Voting Center, located at 184 South Main Street, Suite 102 in Clayton.
