Jude Washington
Jude Washington (Democratic Party) ran for election for Jefferson County Sheriff in Alabama. Washington lost in the Democratic primary on May 19, 2026.
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in Jefferson County, Alabama (2026)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Jefferson County Sheriff
Incumbent Mark Pettway (D) and Jacob Reach (R) are running in the general election for Jefferson County Sheriff on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Mark Pettway (D) | ||
| Jacob Reach (R) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Jefferson County Sheriff
Incumbent Mark Pettway (D) defeated Chris Anderson (D) and Jude Washington (D) in the Democratic primary for Jefferson County Sheriff on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mark Pettway | 74.8 | 65,130 | |
| Chris Anderson | 18.9 | 16,418 | ||
| Jude Washington | 6.3 | 5,467 | ||
| Total votes: 87,015 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for May 19, 2026, was canceled. Jacob Reach (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Jefferson County Sheriff without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jude Washington did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Washington's campaign website stated the following:
KEY INITIATIVES
Deputy Recruitment and Retention Initiative
Implement sign-on bonuses to attract and retain top talent.
Separate Corrections from Enforcement
Establish distinct roles to enhance efficiency.
Implement Jail Improvement
Improve living conditions and inmate management and security.
Commission a Homicide Division
Ensures investigators can focus on critical homicide cases without having to investigate other crimes.
Develop a Full-Time SWAT Unit
Focus on surveillance, fugitive apprehension, warrant execution, intelligence, and emergency operations.
Effective Policing in High-Crime Areas
Implement strategic crime reduction initiatives while ensuring accountability.
Establish Full-time Motor Scout Traffic and Accident Investigations Unit
Enhance traffic enforcement and public safety.
Form a Qualified Jail Investigative Team
Address internal issues and improve facility oversight.
Autonomize the Internal Affairs Unit
Ensure transparency and unbiased investigations within the department.
Return control of division to first-line supervisors
Gives first line supervisors the ability to correct the shortcomings of those they supervise.
— Jude Washington's campaign website (April 12, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
