Sheriff Larry Campbell has held his office in Leon Country, Florida, for the past sixteen years. According to Think Progress, he has an 80% name-recognition rate and 40% disapproval.
It’s easy to see why. Think Progress reports:
By some accounts, Sheriff Larry Campbell has the run of Leon County, Florida — population 277,971. One resident of the area told ThinkProgress that Campbell once got in a bar fight, had his buddies arrest the guy who he’d fought with, then punched the man in the face. When the man asked the Sheriff who he was, Campbell took out a business card, shoved it in the man’s mouth, and said, “I’m Sheriff Campbell.”
Indeed, bluster appears to be a key part of Campbell’s public persona. ThinkProgress obtained a recording of Campbell from a Leon County resident named William Staubs. In the audio, Campbell suggested he could prove his skill with a firearm by using his opponents for target practice.
Audio and partial transcript below.
I’ve been in it fifty or more years but I assure you this, I’m not too old to cut the mustard. I’m still out there . . . I got out with my troops. I go out there and do what needs to be done. I told somebody the other day we have police standards that we have to keep up, that we have to keep our pistol proficiency up. And we have to keep our other police professional standards up. And I had invited the other candidates if they don’t think I can do it, go down and let me shoot at you and see if I can do it any good.
According to Lisa Sprague, a candidate running against him, she’s fine with that as long as she gets to shoot back, as told to Think Progress. In an interview in a story with a local news station, she also revealed that Campbell is openly sexist:
Lisa Sprague, who’s running for Leon County sheriff, went on the offensive Monday, accusing Sheriff Larry Campbell of using foul and sexist language on the campaign trail, something he strongly denies.
Sprague, a former deputy police chief at Florida State University, convened a news conference at the Florida Press Center in which several speakers representing women’s organizations spoke out against Campbell.
“For the sake of all women, let’s be respectful, let’s stick to the issues, let’s talk about things that are important to the citizens in the community and let the voters decide what they’re going to do,” Sprague told the Tallahassee Democrat. “There’s no need for name-calling.”
Campbell has denied all allegations and accusations. However, a constituent wrote a letter to Lisa detailing the following:
Dear Lisa,
I attended a luncheon where Larry Campbell also attended in full uniform and accompanied by an LCSO employee in uniform. During the luncheon he discussed your political campaign. During the course of the conversation he frequently referred to you as “The Bitch” in a demeaning manner. My feeling at the time was that this was a term that he generally used when referring to you or your campaign.
The discussion about his bid to maintain his office, and your bid to unseat him was quite lengthy. You and your campaign were the main topic of conversation throughout the luncheon; however, the discussion generally lacked substance. I do remember one detail: he was concerned that “The Bitch” was raising money.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this situation.
You may view the letter here.
The question must be asked; with this kind of reputation, should Sheriff Larry Campbell be a viable option for re-election?
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