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Incumbent James Woodruff overwhelmingly won the Republican primary for Troup County sheriff Tuesday night over challenger Ben Turner. With 5,206 votes to 2,287 votes and just 381 absentee votes by mail still unaccounted for, Woodruff won in a landslide.

“I want to thank God for bringing me through this. It was a long, long campaign, even though it was just three months, it seemed like an eternity,” Woodruff said. “I had a great staff that worked very hard every day to help us get it through it. And I’m just so proud that we were able to come out successful. I’m thankful to the voters of Troup County who have shown they do trust me, they do know that I’ve got their best interests at heart and I’m looking forward to serving them for four more years. “

Woodruff has worked with the sheriff’s office since 1985. He began as a jailor and became a certified deputy in 1987. Since starting at TCSO, Woodruff has served in a multitude of roles and has been a deputy sheriff, sergeant and lieutenant in patrol, captain over administration, public information officer and chief deputy, before ultimately running for and winning the position of sheriff in 2012, a job he has served since.

Woodruff will now face off with Independent Ricky Ward in November, a rematch of the 2020 election which Woodruff won by over 7,000 votes. 

“Troup County spoke loudly tonight with an overwhelming response to reelect me. And I just asked them to do that again in November when I face my other opponent,” Woodruff said. “Just keep trusting me and just keep believing in me. I truly want to make Troup County a great place to work, live and raise a family in.

Turner, Pastor and son of former Troup County Sheriff Donny Turner ran a good race but ultimately fell short of the needed votes to beat the incumbent.

Turner declined to comment when contacted Tuesday night.