Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson and Kennedale resident, has received the Star Telegram Editorial Board endorsement for re-election. Anderson, 59, has served 15 years and wants one more term of 4 years. {{more}}There is no Democratic opponent this year so whoever wins the Republican primary, March 1, will be the sheriff. Early voting for the March 1, 2016 Primary Election runs Tuesday, February 16 ?Friday, February 26.
Anderson and his wife Rebecca have lived in Kennedale a number of years with both of their children going to KISD schools.
On Friday the following Star Telegram editorial was posted.
For sheriff: Anderson a success worth keepingEditorial Board, Star Telegram
Sheriff Dee Anderson and challenger Bill Waybourn, a former suburban police chief, are two of the best-known local law officers of this generation.
But only one can be the Tarrant County sheriff for the next four years, and voters must choose between two Republicans with completely different missions for the office. No Democrat is running.
Anderson, 59, of Kennedale, has been sheriff since 2001, when he was elected promising to bring stability and professional jail management to an office that sadly lacked it.
Two political-minded predecessors had claimed to be ?tough on crime? but wound up being tough on county taxpayers, both by stirring constant conflicts with city agencies and by costing taxpayers extra money for equipment, staffing and legal expenses. County commissioners allot funds for jail operations and a few rural patrols, not for a redundant police agency.
Waybourn, 56, of Dalworthington Gardens, has been police chief and chief of public safety there for 31 years. He is more flamboyant, has more law enforcement training and wants the Tarrant County sheriff to become more of a crimefighter again, saying the office should take on a larger role in protecting the county against terrorism and in training city jailers to hold illegal immigrants for federal officials? review.
Waybourn is endorsed by former Gov. Rick Perry, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and celebrity Chuck Norris, along with three police labor organizations. He teaches handgun classes, and his allies include several Texas House members who oppose handgun licensing and support completely unlicensed open carry, which he predicts will become law ?in time.?
Anderson is endorsed by former Texas House Speaker Gib Lewis, District Attorney Sharen Wilson of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, County Judge Glen Whitley of Hurst and a majority of the Commissioners? Court. He said in a WFAA/Channel 8 debate Friday that he supports Texas? current law requiring a license to carry.
Anderson acknowledges that he was slow starting his campaign. Instead of that, voters should consider his 15 years of quiet, thrifty management of Tarrant County jails that consistently exceed state standards.
Change is not needed.Read more here: Star
Telegram
