Election results from Clayton County, Mableton runoffs
(Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - It looks like Levon Allen will be filling the remaining term for ex-Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill.
Allen won by just over 260 votes to receive 51% of the vote.
Allen beat out Clarence Cox, who entered the race with 38-years of law enforcement experience. Cox was previously the chief investigator with the Fulton County Solicitor General’s Office, a past National President of the National Organization of the Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the leader of Convoy of Care.
Who is Levon Allen?
The FOX 5 I-Team reported on Allen's meteoric rise in the department going from deputy sheriff to the number two man in the department, chief deputy, in five years. The jump included a $100,000 salary increase.
The I-Team also reported on Allen spending nearly $50,000 in taxpayer's money to put his name, and sometimes image, on billboards, cars, and theater screens as he campaigned to remain sheriff. It has roused several critics.
Levon Allen, who is former Sheriff Victor Hill’s godson, was essentially handpicked by Hill to become the next sheriff. He can now drop the "interim" from his title following this runoff.
Hill, on the otherhand, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for violating the constitutional rights of detainees inside the Clayton County Jail by ordering them held in restraint chairs for hours.
Who will be part of the city of Mableton's first government?
The city of Mableton has its inaugural leaders picked.
As of Tuesday evening, Michael Owens will serve as mayor, Ron Davis will represent District 1, Dami Oladapo will be seated for District 2, District 3 will seat Keisha Jeffcoat, Patricia Auch will hold the seat in District 4, TJ Ferguson is in for District 5, and Debora Herndon ran unopposed in District 6.
The results of the runoff will be certified next week.
The newly elected officials will be sworn in and undergo state-required training before holding their first council meeting.
Despite having a four-year term, half of the newly formed city council will serve two years initially, allowing for alternating elections every two years in the future.