Morris Young wins reelection bid for Gadsden County Sheriff

The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office will remain under the leadership of Democratic Sheriff Morris Young.

He successfully defended his sheriff's seat Tuesday on election night, in what was a key race for many Gadsden residents.

According to the Gadsden County Supervisor of Elections Office, over 22,000 ballots were casted, and by Tuesday evening, Sheriff Young had received more than 13,000 votes calling for his re-election.

"For the last 20 years, we've done a really good job of keeping Gadsden County safe. People realize that, and voted me back in office," said Young.

Young ran against two nonparty affiliates in William Buckhalt and Detrick McClellan. They all agreed on reducing crime in the county but had different views on Florida's Amendment 3.

The measure called for the legalization of recreational marijuana in Florida, but it failed to reach the 60% threshold on election night.

Young told WFSU News after the election that he wants to use his platform to push for marijuana reform.

"Some folk use it as medicine, others use it to get a quick high," said Young. "But at some point in time, we've criminalized a lot of people, especially in the African American community."

Young has been Gadsden's sheriff for the past 20 years. He now has 4 more years to lead the department. He is the longest serving African American sheriff in Florida's history.