In one sense it’s been all quiet on the upcoming Caddo sheriff race runoff set for less than three weeks on Sat. Nov. 18. But then, as always, there are facts and rumors which often are difficult to distinguish. It’s been relatively serene on the John Nickelson campaign front, but not so with Henry Whitehorn.
As the second-place finisher, Whitehorn has attempted to raise his public profile from the primary vote.
For good or bad he has gained the public endorsements of primary opponents Eric Hatfield and Patricia Gilley who combined for 10.6% of the vote. Whether or not their supporters will follow their lead, or even vote, is the major question.
Whitehorn has started attack ads against Nickelson and challenged voters saying their lives may depend on their vote. More of these can be expected even though in past local elections the electorate has not responded positively to this tactic.
Whitehorn has continued his efforts to distance himself from the Adrian Perkins administration even though he served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for two years. He champions that he can get everyone to work together to reduce crime without explaining why he did not take these measures while running the city.
Whitehorn also has the Lynn Braggs fallout to contend with that he cannot escape. Braggs is his neighbor and his best friend as he stated during his CAO confirmation hearings. Braggs has a mixed reputation as a power broker and most knowledgeable voters are not in the Braggs camp. Reportedly, Braggs is making the major decisions in the Whitehorn camp.
Two other negatives for Whitehorn are former council clerk Shanerika Fleming and council woman Tabatha Taylor. Both ladies are heavily involved in his campaign and are usually at his public events.
Flemings, who is threatening to sue the city over her termination, has reportedly advised many that she will work for Whitehorn when he is Sheriff. And then there is the rumor that Tayor will be pushing to have former city attorney Ron Lattier, her bestie and romantic interest, named as the attorney for the Sheriff Whitehorn.
Attorney Shante Wells makes frequent appearances at Whitehorn events, and some believe he hopes to land a position in the Whitehorn sheriff administration. Wells challenged Sen. Greg Tarver in the last election before dropping out of the race after a legal challenge by Tarver. Wells' close affiliation with Whitehorn, along with Braggs’, are probably reasons that he has not gained the endorsement of Tarver.
Whitehorn has faced big headwinds in fundraising for the runoff. This is reflective of the 44.6% vote John Nickelson received by a 10-percentage margin over Whitehorn. It is doubtful that hamburger king Roy Grigsby will pour more big bucks into Whitehorn's run off campaign and many primary campaign donors are following suit. Rumors are that Whitehorn may be getting donations from out of town, maybe out of state, donors.
Whitehorn's failure to appear on the KEEL Morning Show with Mike and McCarty is raising my hackles throughout the community. The radio hosts are well known for interviewing political candidates and very few if any decline their invitations. The question is being raised if Whitehorn will dodge the media if elected.
The election is not that far away--as in three weeks from this Sat. And early voting begins this Friday. The early voting numbers will be interesting to evaluate, especially since the local Republicans outvoted the Democrats in the primary. Whitehorn will need a big number of Democrat early voters if he hopes to win the general election.