There's a new sheriff in Washington Parish, his name is Jason Smith
On Saturday, the 50-year-old retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Jason Smith won a decisive victory in the race to become Washington Parish's next sheriff, unseating local political legend and three-term incumbent Randy "Country" Seal. Smith didn't just squeak by: He won 60% of the nearly 12,000 votes cast, cruising to victory in a manner that would have been unthinkable two years ago.
READ DETAILS HERE: How rancher Jason Smith unseated 'Country' Seal to become Washington Parish Sheriff
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Jason Smith leads in a run-off election with Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal, photographed in Franklinton, La. before a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Retired United States Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Jason Smith, who is the lead candidate for Washington Parish sheriff against incumbent Randy "Country" Seal, talks with Franklinton Junior High School students during a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal attended the program as well. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal is in a run-off election with Jason Smith, who leads the incumbent is photographed in Franklinton, La. before a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Retired United States Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Jason Smith, focuses on the American flag while the branch he served in is recognized during a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Smith leads in a run-off election with Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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A political sign for Washington Parish Sheriff candidate Jason Smith is placed near La. Highway 25 in Franklinton, La. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal and parish resident Penny Moses hug before a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Seal trails Jason Smith in a run-off election. The two candidates attended a Veterans Day program at the school. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Retired United States Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Jason Smith, talks with a fellow veteran before a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Smith leads in a run-off election with Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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A political sign for Washington Parish Sheriff Randy 'Country' Seal is placed near La. Highway 25 in Franklinton, La. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal is in a run-off election with Jason Smith, who leads the incumbent is photographed in Franklinton, La. before a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal stands for a patriotic song performed by the Franklinton Junior High School chorus during a Veterans day program in the school in Franklinton, La. Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)
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Retired United States Marine Corps Lt. Colonel Jason Smith, talks with a fellow veteran before a Veterans Day program at Franklinton Junior High School Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Smith leads in a run-off election with Washington Parish Sheriff Randy ÒCountryÓ Seal. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com)