Theodore Jackson

This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Theodore Jackson

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Fulton County Sheriff

Successor: Patrick Labat

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Elections and appointments

Last election

August 11, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Morgan State University

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1968 - 1970

Personal

Birthplace

Baltimore, Md.

Religion

Baptist

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Theodore Jackson (Democratic Party) (also known as Ted) was the Fulton County Sheriff in Georgia. He assumed office in 2008. He left office on December 31, 2020.

Jackson (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Fulton County Sheriff in Georgia. He lost in the Democratic primary runoff on August 11, 2020.

Jackson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Theodore Jackson was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Morgan State University and a certificate in public administration from the University of Southern California. He was first elected Fulton County Sheriff in 2008. Jackson has served as a commission member of the Ohio Police Training Academy and as President of the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

Elections

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Fulton County, Georgia (2020)

General election

General election for Fulton County Sheriff

Patrick Labat won election in the general election for Fulton County Sheriff on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Patrick Labat (D)	100.0	427,266

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 427,266
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for Fulton County Sheriff

Patrick Labat defeated incumbent Theodore Jackson in the Democratic primary runoff for Fulton County Sheriff on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Patrick Labat	55.5	49,354
		Theodore Jackson	44.5	39,592

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 88,946
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Fulton County Sheriff

Incumbent Theodore Jackson and Patrick Labat advanced to a runoff. They defeated Myron Freeman, Walter Calloway, and Charles Rambo in the Democratic primary for Fulton County Sheriff on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Theodore Jackson	44.1	74,150
✔		Patrick Labat	23.2	38,935
		Myron Freeman	17.6	29,649
	Submit photo	Walter Calloway	9.1	15,338
		Charles Rambo	6.0	10,002

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 168,074
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Theodore Jackson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jackson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the current Sheriff of Fulton County. I have been elected for three consecutive terms (2008, 2012, and 2016) and I am seeking my fourth term. I am a proven leader with integrity for the office. I have spent my 44 year career in service to our county and county. For more information please visit www.reelectsherifftjcakson.com

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Integrity and experiences matters.
• When it comes to safety and protecting the communities you need a Sheriff you can trust.
• Have a working relations with the community that bridges the gap between law enforcement and community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mental Health and Criminal Justice Reform

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The character and deadication of the employees to make a difference not only in the office of sheriff but also the commnity.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I looked up to my high school History teacher, Mr.Richard Flournoy . He made us seek goals and live up to them. He impressed upon us the value of education and to set goals for achievement. He stayed in my life to help and encourge me after graduation.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Experience and compassion and integrity, tranparency, honesty, leadership and the ability to develop relationships are most important for a good elected offical.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

If re-elected I will historically be the first black sheriff to hold four consecutive terms without controversy in Fulton County because of my deep rooted belief in transparency, intergrity, honesty and professionalism.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To uphold state law and the constitutions for federal and state laws, also to protect and serve and provide education to the public concerning criminal justice matters

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Beside being the first in my family to earn a college degree, the first historical event was the assination of John F. Kennedy and I was 16 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was Special Agent with the FBI in 1971
I remain with the FBI for 32 Years and 9 months

What is your favorite book? Why?

Leadership strategy and Tactics...to look at leadership, management and organizationalt skills to help you in the day to day management of the office of sheriff.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Amazing Grace

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Maintaining the safety and security of the jail

Maintaing the security of the Courthouse

Keeping the county safe by developing partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to tackle certain crimes such as cyber crime, gang activity, drug trafficking, violent crimes, terriorism, and sex trafficking,

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Yes, we assist first responders and moniter sex offenders. We are also respondsible for tax sales on the court house steps.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, both govenrment and politics in the leadership postion.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I believe you MUST have ledership, honesty, integrity and law enforcement experience.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Theodore Jackson	Fulton County Sheriff 2008 - 2021	Succeeded by Patrick Labat (D)