Lowndes County Sheriff Butch Howard has decided not to seek re-election to a fourth term.
“It”s just time. I believe it”s time for me to take another direction in life,” Howard said this morning. “I just turned 65. I get to fish for free now and hunt for free.”
Howard isn”t endorsing any candidates as his successor, choosing to “wait until I see who all comes out.”
Former sheriff candidates Bo Harris and Sherman Vaughn are the only two candidates to qualify, thus far. Qualifying for county offices began Monday, and the deadline to qualify is March 1.
Howard said there”s no single reason for his retirement.
“It”s a stressful job but I love my job and I love the people I work with. But when it gets to be time, you know,” he said. “Economically it”s a good time for me. I have 30 years in with state retirement. Anything over 30 years and you”re working for the state and not yourself. It doesn”t help retirement.”
He expressed plans to find another job in the future but has no idea what type of work he”ll find.
“I”m just getting settled in to the fact that I made the decision,” he said.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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