There's a new sheriff in town -- as Cleveland County voters overwhelmingly elected Joe Lester over Rick Adkins in Tuesday's general elections, 60,587 votes to 39,855 with all precincts reporting early Wednesday morning.
The results are unofficial until certified by election board officials on Friday.
"I am looking forward to bringing the Cleveland County Sheriff's Department into the current century with training, equipment and support from the citizens of Cleveland County," Lester said.
Several hundred supporters crowded into The Trails Golf Club for Lester's watch party. Lester's lead snowballed as the precinct results trickled in over several hours' time. By the time the count was finished, Lester's victory had long been secured and the crowd had thinned to 40 or 50 people.
Lester said he "appreciated the confidence" shown by those who voted for him. "Tonight would not have been possible without the support of many friends throughout Cleveland County," he said.
Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten and his wife, Gail, said they were pleased with the outcome.
"Joe Lester has been a longtime friend," Chief Cotten said. "He was the most experienced administratively of all the candidates. I'm looking forward to working with him and I think there will be a great partnership among the sheriff's department, Norman Police Department and OU Police Department, as well as state and federal agencies."
Cotten said he looked forward to working with Lester "as discussions go on concerning the potential new jail."
"I think he'll be a great sheriff," Cotten said.
Lester commended Rick Adkins for "being a formidable opponent."
"I wish him the best in his career with the Purcell Police Department," he said.
Adkins and more than 100 supporters gathered at the Norman Depot to track the election results.
Afterward, Adkins said he "called and congratulated (Lester) and wished him luck."
"I will run again in four years," Adkins said. "We're going to take a little break and after the first of the year, start planning for when we can run again."
"I am very proud of the support we got from our volunteers and everyone that worked and supported me. They worked very hard and I'm very proud of that," Adkins said.
Lester, 64, served 12 years as OU police chief, more than 20 years in the Tulsa Police Department and as an Army military policeman.
When he left the Tulsa Police Department to become OU police chief, he supervised more than 235 police officers and civilians. At OU, he was in charge of a $2 million public safety budget. He also has worked in private business.
The sheriff's department faces a multitude of important issues, not the least of which is an overcrowded detention center being routinely watched by the state health department.
"I look forward to working with the county commissioners and other county officers for the next four years," he said, "and I'm excited about working with the citizens of Cleveland County on the upcoming jail sales tax and the Dec. 9 vote for the new jail."
Assistant District Attorney Dave Batton said he thinks Lester "will bring stability to the sheriff's department" and was "looking forward to his working with other county officials as a team and helping us with the jail."
Tom Blakey 366-3540 tblakey@normantranscript.com
Local news
UPDATED: Lester takes sheriff's race
- Local news
-
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
-
Women finding independence through direct or home-based sales
Women who sell Avon, Arbonne, Amway and Tupperware say their companies continue to evolve and change to meet the demands of the market. They also say these direct sales approaches can be a fun way to work, combining socializing — through ...
-
New site aids wheel chair-bound diners
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new website — www.WheelingAroundTown.com., dedicated to reviewing Oklahoma restaurants for “wheelchair friendly” accessibility — just launched to provide better dining experience for disabled community....
-
FamilyWize offers prescription discounts
It’s been a tough year for illness and injury at my house. My wife had the flu, my youngest son had mono and my oldest son broke his ankle. We are fortunate that my wife has pretty good insurance through her work. That helps us cover the ...
-
Windfalls sweeping down the plain
A few months ago, when the lottery numbers skyrocketed to an unprecedented jackpot, I visited the automated machine at Homeland with a friend who showed me how to operate the machine and make my picks. Alas, my numbers were not the ones ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
