Why is it Political? The Sheriff's Edition
- Rahiwa Mary Tezera
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Our running series from Intern Mary, as she learns why some offices are political, what they actually do, and why it matters that we know. Why is this an elected office? Why does it matter? Wait… we vote for that? Mary’s asking the questions and sharing what she learns along the way. So many offices. So many whys!
Intern Mary Asks Why: The Office of Sheriff
Fun fact: Sheriffs were originally known as shire‑reeves.
Historical origin:
A shire‑reeve was an official appointed by the English Crown during medieval times. The term comes from shire (county) and reeve (guardian or overseer). This person served directly under the king and was responsible for collecting taxes, protecting wealth, enforcing laws, commanding local militias, and maintaining order across the land.
When the role came to the United States, the structure barely changed except for one major shift. By the late 1700s and early 1800s, most sheriffs were elected by the people rather than appointed. The idea was that sheriffs should answer directly to the public, handing the power to the people.
Today, sheriffs oversee law enforcement in their counties, run jails, execute court orders, cooperate (or refuse to cooperate) with federal agencies, and set enforcement priorities. Like the old shire‑reeve, they operate with very little oversight.
Where oversight is lacking, inefficiency or abuse of power can take root.
But why did it become political?
The Sheriff’s office didn’t suddenly “become political” because we started electing sheriffs. The position already held significant power, and the decisions sheriffs made could reflect particular priorities, interests, and agendas. Elections were introduced, in part, as a way to give voters more oversight over that power.
But elections brought politics of their own. Running a countywide campaign takes money, volunteers, visibility, and support, which can make aligning with a political party almost necessary for candidates. And once party politics enter the picture, they can influence how voters view the office and potentially the priorities of the person elected to it.
So, basically: power made the office political. Elections gave voters oversight. And partisan elections added another layer of politics.
Impact on our communities;
Sheriffs have a uniquely powerful impact on their communities because they control so many parts of the justice system with almost no oversight. Unfortunately most voters don’t realize this. A Sheriff's decisions shape how laws are enforced, how jails operate, and how people experience safety, punishment, or protection. A sheriff’s personal beliefs, political affiliation, and campaign promises can directly influence these priorities.
Here are some important responsibilities of the sheriff’s office:
Broad Discretion: They choose which laws to enforce strictly, what to investigate, and overall how public safety is defined.
Budget & Allocation: Sheriffs manage millions in taxpayer funds and decide how resources are allocated.
Crisis Response: They set policies for handling mental health crises, addiction, and other emergencies.
Jail Management: They run county jails! This is huge! This means they are controlling contracts, detention agreements, and partnerships with federal agencies. These decisions affect jail conditions, overcrowding, rehabilitation programs, and even local taxes. Financial incentives like vendor contracts or detention deals can shape how they do their jobs and how they prioritize, creating a system where money and justice intersect.
And that is why we need a sheriff we can trust. An honest, responsible and receptive sheriff. One who will put the needs of the community before political ambitions.
Opinion piece: Mary's Take
In my perfect world, Sheriff would be a nonpartisan position. Unfortunately, we do not live in my perfect world.
Law enforcement is supposed to serve the entire community—not one party or one group. And something I’m learning is just how much power a sheriff actually has. When we elect a sheriff, we’re choosing someone who makes decisions about how laws are enforced, how the department operates, and ultimately what public safety and justice look like in our county. And when we all vote, we are ensuring that our elected candidate does not too far toward one agenda, which can result in parts of the community can be ignored or harmed.
For the first time in recent Hamilton County history, we actually have two choices on the ballot and a competitive race. And while Sheriff is a partisan office, our choice doesn’t have to come down to a party label. We can look at qualifications, accountability, priorities, and who we trust to serve the entire community.
Because the more I learn about this job, the more I think it’s way too important to treat it like just another letter next to someone’s name.
Positions like Sheriff can easily go unnoticed by voters, but I’m learning just how much power they actually hold. Ignoring these races means giving up one of the biggest powers we have as voters: the power to pay attention and hold our elected officials accountable.
So, if you'll join me, I'll continue be curious. Ask questions. Be an informed voter. And keep this one in mind when you vote on November 3, 2026!
Next up, I’m digging into another elected office and asking the same question: Why is this political? Stay tuned!
Mary Tezera
HamCo Dems Summer Intern
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