There’s going to be a new sheriff in town: Gino Brantley ousts Sheriff Roundtree

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta is getting a new sheriff after Gino Brantley defeated Sheriff Richard Roundtree in a runoff election.

When Sheriff Richard Roundtree didn’t get 50 percent plus one vote in May’s Primary election Gino Brantley had one more shot at unseating the incumbent.
Tuesday he became the projected winner of the democratic primary and he says he has mixed emotions.

“Tired, been exhausted, but elated at the same time,” smiled Brantley.

Voter Genessa Travis thinks voters chose right and that it is time for a change.

“It is great. I think it’s great. I think after 12 years, it’s time for some new blood. The city has changed. And sometimes when you’ve been in a position for a long time, you’ve got to get probably get stuck in your ways and may not be open to new things,” she said. “So bring in somebody else new and I’ve seen Mr. Brantley at several functions and I like what he says he’s going to do with the city.”

Sheriff Roundtree posted to social media thanking people for their support and asking for prayers for himself and his deputies during transition.

Brantley tells NewsChannel 6 that Sheriff Roundtree called him Tuesday night after the results came out.

“He congratulated me and said he looked forward to speaking with me in the next week or two.”

Brantley said he talked to a lot of people while he was campaigning and that he hopes to address their concerns once he takes office. He added that transparency is the best way to do that.

“By being engaged in public forums, by having the deputies out in the neighborhoods, meeting with people, knowing the people. All that helps build trust and helps bridge the relationship between the community and law enforcement,” Brantley explained.

Travis said she was impressed by Brantley’s plans when he was campaigning and looks forward to seeing if he can make a difference.

“In order to make a change, you’ve got to be out there among the people talking to the citizens and seeing what we need. You know, you can make changes behind a desk, but if you don’t, you’re not talking to your constituents or your citizens, It doesn’t it doesn’t really do anything. So I enjoy that he comes out and he’s talks to you and he’s not talking at you.”

Brantley will take office in January if no one qualifies to run against him in November.

Brantley may have another candidate to beat in November. Richard Dixon qualified as an independent candidate and if he gets enough signatures on a petition, he will be on the ballot in the general election.