Jax Daily

With our city’s high murder rate a front page story, this race could have been much more interesting.  However, Sheriff Rutherford has drawn two poorly-funded Democratic challengers.  Challenger Dale Carson, son of a former Sheriff, is an attorney and retired FBI agent.  Had this been a race between Carson, Rutherford, and another Republican… we might have seen a competitive run-off election.  But that is not the case.  

In a Republican dominated city, it will be nearly impossible for either Democrat to overcome the incumbent’s huge name recognition and campaign warchest.

Further, we feel that Sheriff John Rutherford understands the challenges facing Jacksonville and has done a good job of reaching out to the community.  He’s a smart, capable, and experienced law enforcement officer.   

Carson has a fantastic resume and some really good ideas on how to refocus the JSO to deal more directly with narcotics and violent crime.  He should consider running again in 2011.  However, Sheriff Rutherford’s experience should and will earn him a second term this time around.