Unofficial results send Hancock County sheriff’s race to runoff election

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- A crowded field of seven candidates competed for the position of Hancock County Sheriff.

Those candidates are Tommy Bethea, Jace Favre, Kyle Malley, Eddie Peterson, Channing Reynolds, Michael Seal, and Josh Stroud.

Election officials spent the evening counting ballots as supporters gathered across the country to watch results come in.

It’s looking like this race will end up with a runoff election since no one received more than 50 percent of the vote.

Voter turnout was closely monitored throughout the day with candidates making final pushes to bring supporters to the polls before voting ended.

The sheriff’s race has been one of the most closely watched contests in Hancock County with candidates focusing on issues including public safety, law enforcement staffing, community outreach, and crime prevention.