HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Two candidates are facing off Nov. 3 for Washington County sheriff, after Maryland’s early voting ended Oct. 29.
Democratic candidate Junior McLeod won the primaries unopposed this year. He lost in the 2022 primary election. Incumbent GOP Sheriff Brian Albert won his spot on November’s ballot over Chuckie Johnson in the June primaries.
With different background in law enforcement, McLeod and Albert both have specialized training and experience that offer unique qualifications. While Albert has decades of law enforcement training and a military background, McLeod brings experience in mental health, corrections and crisis management.
Junior McLeod’s campaign
Junior McLeod centers his campaign around crime reduction, officer support and accountability. With the slogan, “McLeod for the People,” his campaign emphasizes targeting mental health and community issues in order to reduce crime.
McLeod earned his bachelor’s degree and training in professional security management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice before spending over 20 years working in corrections, probation, criminal justice and mental health crisis response. McLeod believes this experience provides unique insight for de-escalation and crisis management.
In a Facebook post flyer for McLeod’s campaign, some priorities of his include protecting domestic violence victims, addressing community mental health, deputy training for mental health crises and supporting officers while seeking constructive criticism.
McLeod says his reason for running is to, “strengthen leadership, support deputies and ensure the sheriff’s office operates with the highest standards of professionalism and service.”
Brian Albert’s campaign
Brian Albert’s key campaign focuses include public safety, community engagement and embracing technology.
Albert, elected in 2022, is an Air Force veteran who has spent over 34 years in law enforcement. He retired as a captain after 28 years with the Natural Resources Police and is a former assistant director of the Division of Emergency Services, overseeing the 911 call center.
Since Albert took office, the sheriff’s office has helped to establish numerous events for the community such as Shop with a Sheriff and the annual Trunk or Treat at Hagerstown Community College.
During Albert’s term he’s also employed a specialized taskforce targeting high-crime areas, as well as establishing license plate reader cameras and drones for law enforcement use.
He also signed an agreement with ICE that paid the county for duties under the Warrant Service Officer Model, under which the sheriff’s office executed federal immigration administrative warrants inside the county’s correctional facilities for individuals already in custody. That ended when state legislators outlawed the practice.
To find more information about Brian Albert’s campaign, visit albertforsheriff.com.
To find more information about Junior McLeod’s campaign, visit mcleodforsheriff.com.
