Breckenridge Texan

Will Holt withdraws from sheriff’s race; Kevin Roach filing to run for the position

Will Holt withdraws from sheriff’s race; Kevin Roach filing to run for the position
December 04
16:34 2019

On Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 4, the race for Stephens County Sheriff changed dramatically when current sheriff Will Holt announce his decision to withdraw from the race and endorse Chief Deputy Kevin Roach for the position.

In a news release, Holt said, “I will be removing my name from the Republican primary ballot for the office of Sheriff.  There is a better candidate/fit, and I have come to realize this over the last three years, as difficult as my pride makes that to say.  Please note that I am NOT vacating my office, and I will serve out my full term.”

Roach filed the initial forms at the courthouse Wednesday afternoon and said he will file his official application to run with Republican Party Chairman Graham Reaugh as soon as possible.

Here is Holt’s entire statement:

Please understand that the following comes after an enormous amount of prayer, reasoning, and wrestling with myself and God over the last year and more.  I will be removing my name from the Republican primary ballot for the office of Sheriff.  There is a better candidate/fit, and I have come to realize this over the last three years, as difficult as my pride makes that to say.  Please note that I am NOT vacating my office, and I will serve out my full term.

When I decided to run for a second-term, it was in part based upon me not seeing or knowing of another person that I felt would be able to continue to take the Sheriff’s Office (S.O.) and the community in the proper direction.  This was not my sole factor in deciding whether to run again, but it was a significant one.  You see, I have had a love/hate relationship with the position of sheriff for a couple of years now.  While I had some major reservations on running again, I was not going to give up the office and risk someone taking over who was not in it for the right reasons.  What I failed to do was to properly communicate with my right-hand man at the S.O., Chief Deputy Kevin Roach, about what his long-term plans and desires were.  Kevin is who I envisioned giving the reigns to years from now, but I had not initiated that awkward and somewhat difficult conversation with him.  I should have done that months ago.

My lack of communicating with him about this topic is a microcosm of one of my shortcomings as sheriff, which is being able to relate to the S.O. staff and getting them to thrive under my direction.  Chief Deputy Roach is highly adept at this.  Over the last three years, I have had the fortunate ability to see this strength and others of his.  I can tell you with confidence that he will do a stellar job as Sheriff.  

In some ways you will see him replicate what I’ve already been doing, but through other means you will see improvements that his hard work and talents will help bring to fruition.  If I thought for a minute that he was a lesser quality candidate, then I would stay in this race.  I do not see that in him.  I am recommending him to the public as your next Sheriff.  He has the desire to do this job for terms to come, which will bring some much needed stability to the S.O.    

I could type paragraphs as to why Kevin is the right fit.  I could also list other reasons why I am bowing out of this position, pertaining to me wanting to spend more time with my growing family, my health and wellness, hobbies, other work interests, etc.  Please allow me NOT to do that. Time is precious, both yours and mine.  Please don’t spend it on rumors, lies, and conspiracy theories.  That is senseless and harmful to more people than just me.  If you want to sit down with me and ask something, I will certainly answer your questions.  My office door is always open, and I plan to finish my term strong.  In the meantime, strongly consider Kevin Roach as your next sheriff.  The S.O. will be in good hands with him.  Remember though, it takes a ton more than what one person or one agency can accomplish for a community to thrive long-term.  Start doing things that engender goodwill and Christian outcomes within this community and the S.O.

In summary, I want out of this position.  Kevin wants in, and he is just as good of fit, if not better in many ways, than I am as Sheriff.  To my supporters, I am sorry if I am disappointing you.  I never intended for that to happen. Help get Kevin Roach into office, and it will be a win-win for all.

I likely won’t be responding to insincere or malicious questions or statements on social media.

Sincerely,

Will Holt

 

Story by Tony Pilkington and Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

Cutline, top photo: Stephens County Chief Deputy Kevin Roach went to the courthouse Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 4, to file the initial paperwork to run for sheriff in next year’s election. Current Sheriff Will Holt announced his decision to withdraw from the race and endorsed Roach for the position. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan) 

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