Sheriff’s Race Intensifies in Clay County as Buchanan Responds to Shook

The race for Clay County sheriff is escalating as incumbent Sheriff Mark Buchanan issued a sharp public response to challenger and former sheriff Joe Shook, accusing him of running a negative campaign and misrepresenting both Buchanan’s record and the legacies of past county sheriffs.

In a statement released this week, Buchanan criticized a full-page advertisement by Shook published in the Clay County Progress, saying the ad and comments made during a Jan. 29 debate unfairly targeted retired and deceased former sheriffs rather than focusing on the current race.

“Mr. Shook, if you are reading this, you are running against me,” Buchanan said in the statement. “Send the dirt my way, not others who have honorably served Clay County over the years and have since retired and are even dead.”

Buchanan specifically apologized to former sheriffs Hartsel Moore, Tony Woody, Vic Davis and Bobby Deese, saying their legacies were “tread on” by Shook’s criticism of prior administrations, including comments about their politics, budget decisions since 2010 and what Shook described as “do nothing” multi-term leadership.

Buchanan also took issue with Shook’s remarks during the debate regarding Buchanan’s law enforcement experience. Shook questioned Buchanan’s claim of working hundreds of violent crimes, felonies and homicides.

Buchanan responded by noting his prior service as a State Bureau of Investigation agent with statewide jurisdiction, including time assigned to the Charlotte District.

“I can’t compete number-wise in comparing my felony case load history versus Mr. Shook’s speeding tickets during his career with the Highway Patrol,” Buchanan said, adding sarcastically, “Mr. Shook has got the numbers there.”

Personnel decisions within the sheriff’s office have also emerged as a point of contention. Shook has accused Buchanan of forcing out officers and suggested he would invite them back if elected. Buchanan said some former employees face certification issues, while others failed to meet what he described as required moral and ethical standards.

“If elected, I would have great concern who Mr. Shook might want to turn loose on the citizenry of Clay County,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan further disputed claims that he has been reluctant to aggressively address drug activity out of fear of lawsuits. He said he has advocated for “smarter” policing to avoid costly litigation that could financially burden the county, pointing to comments Shook made during the debate about past conduct as a state trooper.

Buchanan also responded to Shook’s campaign pledge to provide around-the-clock patrol coverage, noting that the sheriff’s office already maintains 24/7 patrol staffing with three officers.

In closing, Buchanan criticized what he described as Shook’s recent efforts to appear more accessible to voters, including publishing his cell phone number in campaign materials. Buchanan said his own cell number has long been publicly available and questioned Shook’s accessibility during his previous term as sheriff.