The Clay County Sheriff debate on Thursday night was held at the Fleming Island High School. Even though it was hot in the room and the candidates were in suits under bright lights it did not deter them from showing the residents what everyone already knew: the race is tight and all of the players are working hard to become the next Sheriff.

The Republican candidates running for Sheriff are Craig Aldrich, Darryl Daniels, Jimmy Jett and Harold Rutledge.

During the debate they discussed drug issues in the county, the jails, the internal structure of the sheriff department and if Clay County should work with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office or not to prevent and fight crime.

As an overall, the candidates kept to the issues as many residents have expressed they wanted them to do and they had a civil and informative debate. The only mudslinging was at the end with Craig Aldrich’s final comment. The rest of the candidates briefly confronted the negative tone and finished the night off strong.