Primaries: Part 1 of 4
By Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times
Mark Pettway made history in 2018 when he was elected Jefferson County’s first Black sheriff. After besting three opponents in the Primary, he retained his seat when he ran for re-election in 2022. Now Pettway will face two challengers in the May 19 Democratic Primary: former Birmingham Police detective Chris Anderson and former Jefferson County Deputy Jude Washington. Jacob Reach is the only Republican candidate for sheriff.
In February all three Democratic candidates spoke in-depth about why they’re running for sheriff at a Meet the Candidates reception hosted by the Jefferson County Chapter of Alabama New South Alliance.
During the meeting, according to CBS42, Pettway highlighted efforts to help formerly incarcerated citizens join the work force.
“We’re doing things to help the inmates because when they go back to society, we want them to be able to go back as a changed person, so they can be employed and get good jobs,” Pettway said.
During his tenure, Pettway implemented programs such as “Renewed for Reentry, which helped inmates earn a GED or high school diploma and find jobs before being released from jail. Pettway’s platform also includes safer schools and improved law enforcement training.
Learn more at markpettway.com.
Chris Anderson
Chris Anderson is known by some as “Mr. First 48.” The former Birmingham police detective has appeared on The First 48, a long-running true crime documentary that debuted on A&E in 2004. The series, which shot several episodes in Birmingham, tracks real-life homicide detectives as they work through the crucial first hours of murder investigations.
The 51-year-old Hoover resident has 31 years of law enforcement experience and has said that he joined the race to bring about the change he wants to see.
“If you have experience in a position and you think that your experience could help someone, you have to be willing to put yourself out there in order to help,” he told Birmingham Watch.
Anderson’s platform includes modernizing the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, strengthening community policing, and improving public safety through prevention and partnership.
Learn more at electchrisanderson.com.
Jude Washington
Jude Washington served at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office from 1995 to 2024 across various divisions including Jail Corrections, the DUI Task Force and the Domestic Violence Task Force.
Washington has said he aims to help restore the community’s faith in law enforcement and improve morale within the sheriff’s office, in part by increasing recruitment.
“Jefferson County deserves a Sheriff who prioritizes public safety, jail management, and the effective operation of our court system,” he said on his website. “We must refocus on these core responsibilities to restore faith in law enforcement and ensure every resident feels secure in their community.”
Learn more at judewashington4sheriff.com.
