Voters make Brooks new sheriff in town

Chief deputy will succeed Sheriff Joe Chapman

Keith Brooks- sheriff-elect of Walton County. Photo credit: Cassie Jones | MAK Photography

While the presidential election took the state and national headlines, Walton County voters had the task of selecting a new sheriff.

Republican Keith Brooks rolled to victory in the open sheriff ’s race to replace long-time, popular sheriff Joe Chapman, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Brooks seemed to be the popular choice from the start of the 2024 campaign easily winning the GOP primary as well as the general election this past Tuesday.

Brooks collected 44,244 votes (77.35%) to defeat Democrat Toyin Wakil Olaoluwa who took 12,959 votes (22.65%). Brooks carried all Walton precincts in Tuesday’s general election. The sheriff-elect has numerous local ties to Walton County.

“I want to say thank you to the people of Walton County for their overwhelming support in the election,” Brooks said. “I’m honored by the trust and support the voters have placed in me to serve as their next sheriff. I also want to thank my family and supporters for standing with me throughout this campaign and all the hard work they put into it. I’ve spent my career protecting and serving the people of Walton County and I look forward to continuing that service as sheriff. I will put the people first, serve with integrity, and hold the line to keep our families safe.”