FOREST PARK, GA. – The lobby of Living Faith Tabernacle was full of local election candidates and tables full of campaign flyers, cards, yard signs, and bumper stickers on Sunday evening. The church was the site for the first candidate forum of the election season. The three people looking to unseat current Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen, Jr. during the May 21 election, Clarence Cox, Jeffrey Turner, and Charlene Watson-Fraser, all arrived at the church for what would be a well-attended forum. Allen did not attend. He also failed to attend a candidate forum for the special run-off election in January 2023 , but that did not stop him from winning the election by 266 votes over Cox.

The forum, which was moderated by WCLK-FM radio personality Kiplyn Primas, began with the seat to the right of Cox empty and each candidate making opening remarks. Turner, a 35-year Clayton County employee in a number of capacities, including Clayton County Police Department chief, referred to himself as a “local guy.”  Watson-Fraser, who spent part of her law enforcement career in Baltimore as a police officer, also has experience working for the county as she is currently a detective with the Clayton County Police Department. She seemed nervous during her opening remarks and made sure to mention that she is a mother and grandmother. Cox, no stranger to campaigning for sheriff, said during his opening remarks, “I’ve led before and I will continue to lead, and with your help we can change the dynamic of Clayton County.” 

The first topic of discussion for the sheriff candidates focussed on the 24-year-old Clayton County Jail and what to do with the facility going forward. Though 24 years isn’t old for a county facility, there have been interior issues with the cell locks, for example, at the jail. The candidates were asked what two issues…