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RICHLAND COUNTY — One person stands between an unconfined federal government and “We the People.” After the Ohio Constitution included the Office of the Sheriff as an elected position in its Constitution in 1803, almost every other state has followed suit. Consequently, of the three-thousand sheriff’s in the United States today, approximately 98% are elected by the citizens of their county or parish.
It is one thing to simply be an agent of the government. It is another to have a discretionary role as an agent of the Constitution.
The Richland County Primary Election will occur Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, with candidates: Steve Sheldon, Matthew Mayer, and Donald Zehner vying for the highest law enforcement office in the County. Elected sheriffs are directly accountable to their State Constitution, the Federal Constitution, statutes, and ultimately to the citizens of their county. This week local faith leaders weighed in on the sheriff’s race.
In an open letter, a group of area clergymen wrote, “Recently after attending a National Sheriff’s Association Conference, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones outlined imminent national security risks, drawing parallels to Israel’s security situation. Recounting the October 7th massacre on Israelis, where local police were critical in responding to attacks, the Ohio Sheriff underscored the essential role local law enforcement plays.
The area pastors said, “With the U.S. currently engaging in military action in two countries, with thousands of undocumented people from one hundred-sixty different countries entering our nation monthly thru an unsecure border, more red flags for potential terrorist activity exist today than there were before the September 11th attacks. Local stability and security are of vital importance.”
“Sheriff Sheldon was one of the leading voices in opposing the legalization of marijuana. Besides regularly attending corporate prayer gatherings in the community, Mr. Sheldon maintains a chaplain program in the Sheriff’s Department. Under his Administration, Sheriff Sheldon also implemented a faith-based Project Starfish drug rehab program and affixed National Motto “In GOD we trust” placards on all new deputy squad vehicles.”
Clergy Letter endorsing Sheriff Sheldon in 2024 primary election
“The Bible says Isaiah 62, “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence.”
The faith leaders went on to say, “Based on a Biblical worldview, our strong conviction as forty-five lead clergymen, is Sheriff Steve Sheldon will best serve as the next Richland County Sheriff for the upcoming March 19, 2024 Primary Election to advance the cause of faith, family, and freedom.
“Sheriff Steve Sheldon has over forty-years’ experience in law enforcement and has served as Richland County Sheriff for five terms, beginning in 2005. Mr. Sheldon has been a strong advocate for the Second Amendment which helps protect First Amendment freedoms, and was one of the leading voices in opposing the legalization of marijuana. Besides regularly attending corporate prayer gatherings in the community, Mr. Sheldon maintains a chaplain program in the Sheriff’s Department. Under his Administration, Sheriff Sheldon also implemented a faith-based Project Starfish drug rehab program and affixed National Motto “In GOD we trust” placards on all new deputy squad vehicles.”
The clergy letter stated, “While times are perilous, strong leadership and bold direction are needed to protect our local community. Nehemiah 4:14 says “Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
Faith leaders represented in the clergy letter are from multiple-denominations in Richland County and have historically been vocal of their support for the rule of law and local law enforcement.
Faith leaders closed their open letter by saying, “Furthermore, based on merit we support the candidacy of Steve Sheldon and believe he best serves the interests of faith, family, and freedom. As forty-five leading clergymen, we encourage Ohioans to show up at their polling places in person on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 and vote for Steve Sheldon as Richland County Sheriff.”
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Exodus Eighteen, “Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.”
View video produced by Protect Ohio Families & Workers, of Sheriff Steve Sheldon publicly opposing recreational marijuana (1 min.)
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