Changes

|office=[[Sheriff]] of Caddo Parish, [[Louisiana]]

|office=[[Sheriff]] of Caddo Parish, [[Louisiana]]

|term_start=July 1, 2000

|term_start=July 1, 2000

|term_end=

|term_end=March 1, 2024

|preceded=Donald Edgar Hathaway

|preceded=[[Donald E. Hathaway]]

|succeeded=

|succeeded=John "Jay" Long (interim)<br>

|birth_place=Clarksville<br>Montgomery County<br>[[Tennessee]]

|birth_place=Clarksville<br>Montgomery County<br>[[Tennessee]]

|birth_date=September 25, 1951

|birth_date=September 25, 1951

|children=Stephen Prator, Jr.<br>

|children=Stephen Prator, Jr.<br>

Jon Joseph Prator<br>

Jon Joseph Prator<br>

Tracey Prator Cascio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussearch.com/consumer/people-search/names/la+shreveport/stephen/prator.html|title=Stephen Prator|publisher=ussearch.com|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref>

Tracey Prator Cascio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussearch.com/consumer/people-search/names/la+shreveport/stephen/prator.html|title=Stephen Prator|publisher=ussearch.com|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref><br>

|residence=[[Shreveport]], Louisiana

|residence=[[Shreveport]], Louisiana

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]

}}

}}

'''Stephen Wayne Prator, Sr.''', known as '''Steve Prator''' (born September 25, 1951),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voterportal.sos.la.gov/voter.aspx|title=Click Stephen Prator, September 1951|publisher=voterportal.sos.la.gov|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> of [[Shreveport]] is the first [[Republican Party|Republican]] since [[Reconstruction]] to serve as [[sheriff]] of Caddo Parish in far northwestern [[Louisiana]]. He begins his sixth term in the office in the summer of 2020.

'''Stephen Wayne Prator, Sr.''', known as '''Steve Prator''' (born September 25, 1951),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voterportal.sos.la.gov/voter.aspx|title=Click Stephen Prator, September 1951|publisher=voterportal.sos.la.gov|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> of [[Shreveport]] is the first [[Republican Party|Republican]] since [[Reconstruction]] to serve as [[sheriff]] of Caddo Parish in far northwestern [[Louisiana]]. He began his sixth term in the office in the summer of 2020. He stepped down four months early in his last term to accept a position from [[Governor]] [[Jeff Landry]] to serve on the Louisiana Board of Pardons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2024/03/01/john-long-sworn-in-as-interim-caddo-parish-sheriff/72808053007/|title=John Long sworn in as interim Caddo Parish sheriff|author=Ian Robinson|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=March 1, 2024|accessdate=March 2, 2024}}</ref>

==Background==

==Background==

==Career==

==Career==

In 1973, Prator became a Shreveport police officer. In 1990, Hazel F. Beard, Steve Prator's aunt and the first of only two Republican [[mayor]]s of Shreveport since Reconstruction, named Prator chief of police, an appointive position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prator.org/|title=Caddo Sheriff Support|publisher=prator.org|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> In 1999, he stepped down as police chief to run for sheriff, when the incumbent Donald Edgar "Don" Hathaway, Sr., did not seek a sixth four-year in office. Prator was elected to the first of his thus far four terms in that position. In that first campaign, Prator led with 37,739 votes (70.5 percent), compared to 13,858 (25.9 percent) for the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Marshall W. Nelson, and 1,921 votes (3.6 percent) for the No-Party candidate, Robert N. Creamer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10231999/10231999_09.html|title=Primary election returns, October 23, 1999|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Creamer again ran against Prator in 2003.<ref name=duvernay>Adam Duvernay, "Prator's 10th anniversary", ''The Shreveport Times'', July 25, 2011.</ref>

In 1973, Prator became a Shreveport police officer. In 1990, [[Hazel Beard]], Steve Prator's aunt and the first of only three Republican [[mayor]]s of Shreveport since Reconstruction, named Prator chief of police, an appointive position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prator.org/|title=Caddo Sheriff Support|publisher=prator.org|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> In 1999, he stepped down as police chief to run for sheriff, when the incumbent [[Donald E. Hathaway|Donald Edgar "Don" Hathaway, Sr.]], did not seek a sixth four-year in office. Prator was elected to the first of his thus far four terms in that position. In that first campaign, Prator led with 37,739 votes (70.5 percent), compared to 13,858 (25.9 percent) for the [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Marshall W. Nelson, and 1,921 votes (3.6 percent) for the No-Party candidate, Robert N. Creamer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10231999/10231999_09.html|title=Primary election returns, October 23, 1999|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Creamer again ran against Prator in 2003.<ref name=duvernay>Adam Duvernay, "Prator's 10th anniversary", ''The Shreveport Times,'' July 25, 2011.</ref>

Prator's term began on July 1, 2000, when Don Hathaway retired after twenty years as sheriff. Upon taking office, Prator streamlined certain operations and saved $3 million in expenses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddohistory.com/about_sheriffs_4.html|title=About our Sheriffs|publisher=caddohistory.com|author=[[Eric Brock]]|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Prator introduced "community-oriented policing" and developed a network of volunteer programs. He opened the first centers to deal with juvenile truancy, including a temporary holding facility.<ref name=bio/> He supported the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in public schools, which Hathaway had first instituted in Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddosheriff.org/content.php?c=105|title=D.A.R.E.|publisher=caddosheriff.org|accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref> Prator established bicycle patrols, neighborhood watch teams, and a drug interdiction unit. He developed a work-release program for inmates at the Caddo Correctional Center.<ref name=bio/>  

Prator's term began on July 1, 2000, when Don Hathaway retired after twenty years as sheriff. Upon taking office, Prator streamlined certain operations and saved $3 million in expenses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddohistory.com/about_sheriffs_4.html|title=About our Sheriffs|publisher=caddohistory.com|author=[[Eric Brock]]|accessdate=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Prator introduced "community-oriented policing" and developed a network of volunteer programs. He opened the first centers to deal with juvenile truancy, including a temporary holding facility.<ref name=bio/> He supported the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in public schools, which Hathaway had first instituted in Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddosheriff.org/content.php?c=105|title=D.A.R.E.|publisher=caddosheriff.org|accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref> Prator established bicycle patrols, neighborhood watch teams, and a drug interdiction unit. He developed a work-release program for inmates at the Caddo Correctional Center.<ref name=bio/>  

   

   

Prator is a member of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association, Cops for Christ, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.<ref name=bio/> He was named in 2008, along with his then colleague, Larry Callaway Deen, former sheriff of Bossier Parish, to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, a multi-agency program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=98&printer=1|title=Governor Bobby Jindal Announces Appointments to the Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, March 4, 2008|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref>Prator is active in the Louisiana State Fair Board, the LSUS Foundation, and the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]] of America.<ref name=caddogop>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddogop.com/docs/c03308.pdf|author=Louis R. Avallone|title="This Month's Meeting"|publisher=''The Caddo Republican'', Vol. 17, Edit. 4 (April 2012)|accessdate=May 22, 2012}}</ref>

Prator is a member of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association, Cops for Christ, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.<ref name=bio/> He was named in 2008, along with his then colleague, [[Larry Deen]], a former sheriff of Bossier Parish, to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, a multi-agency program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=98&printer=1|title=Governor Bobby Jindal Announces Appointments to the Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, March 4, 2008|publisher=gov.louisiana.gov|accessdate=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Prator is active in the Louisiana State Fair Board, the LSUS Foundation, and the Norwela Council of the [[Boy Scouts]] of America.<ref name=caddogop>{{cite web|url=http://www.caddogop.com/docs/c03308.pdf|author=Louis R. Avallone|title="This Month's Meeting"|publisher=''The Caddo Republican'', Vol. 17, Edit. 4 (April 2012)|accessdate=May 22, 2012}}</ref>

 

Prator was instrumental in the establishment in 2008 of "Safety Town" located between Walker Road and Jewella Avenue near the South Park Summer Grove Baptist Church. "Safety Town" teaches children how to avoid danger and how to protect their own safety. [[Bob Griffin (journalist)|Robert Madison "Bob" Griffin]], then of KTBS-TV, worked with Prator to promote the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheriffssafetytown.org/|title=Sheriff's Safety Town - Shreveport|publisher=sheriffssafetytown.org|accessdate=June 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktbs.com/story/22271185/bob-griffin|title=Bob Griffin|publisher=KTBS-TV|accessdate=June 11, 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, Prator launched a program to train children between eight and twelve years of age in gun safety. The course is taught at a gun safety camp sponsored by the sheriff's department.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kmsstv.com/news/sheriffs-office-teaches-gun-safety-young-campers|title=Sheriff's office teaches gun safety to young campers|author=Annie Andersen|date=June 17, 2014|publisher=KMSS-TV|accessdate=June 20, 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, Prator launched a program to train children between eight and twelve years of age in gun safety. The course is taught at a gun safety camp sponsored by the sheriff's department.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kmsstv.com/news/sheriffs-office-teaches-gun-safety-young-campers|title=Sheriff's office teaches gun safety to young campers|author=Annie Andersen|date=June 17, 2014|publisher=KMSS-TV|accessdate=June 20, 2014}}</ref>

On July 1, 2014, Prator took on the role of director of the Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, a state agency responsible for disaster and emergency preparedness and response efforts. Previously Caddo and Bossier parishes had operated a mutual Homeland Security office, but Bossier Parish elected to establish its own facility. The  sheriff's office will fund the Homeland Security office for Caddo Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140616/NEWS01/306160036/Steve-Prator-lead-new-Homeland-Security-Office?nclick_check=1|title=Steve Prator to lead new Homeland Security Office|author=Alexandria Burris|date=June 16, 2014|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=June 17, 2014}}</ref>

On July 1, 2014, Prator took on the role of director of the Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, a state agency responsible for disaster and emergency preparedness and response efforts. Previously Caddo and Bossier parishes had operated a mutual Homeland Security office, but Bossier Parish elected to establish its own facility. The  sheriff's office will fund the Homeland Security office for Caddo Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140616/NEWS01/306160036/Steve-Prator-lead-new-Homeland-Security-Office?nclick_check=1|title=Steve Prator to lead new Homeland Security Office|author=Alexandria Burris|date=June 16, 2014|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|accessdate=June 17, 2014}}</ref>

Prator handily won a fifth term as sheriff in the primary election held on October 24, 2015. He defeated the Democrat Eric Hatfield, 37,112 votes (73.2 percent) to 13,561 (26.8 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10242015/10242015_09.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>

On October 24, 2015, Prator handily won a fifth term as sheriff in the primary election by defeating the Democrat Eric Hatfield, 37,112 votes (73.2 percent) to 13,561 (26.8 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10242015/10242015_09.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref>

In 2017, Sheriff Prator opposed [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]'s planned release of state prisoners, a move also endorsed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association as well as bipartisan members of the legislature. Practor said the release would increase violent crime in Caddo Parish. "I wasn't elected to rehabilitate people. There needs to be more done before this law takes effect," Prator said.  The ''[[New York Times]]'' accused the sheriff of [[racism]] because he also described certain state prisoners as "bad" and those in parish prisons as "good" because they often perform trusty-type roles. In addition to the parish prisoners, the Caddo Parish Correctional Center houses inmates for the Louisiana Department of Corrections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2017/10/12/caddo-sheriff-prator-criticized-racist-remarks/759863001/|title=Caddo Sheriff Prator criticized for 'racist' remarks|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=October 12, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref>

On May 16, 2018, Prator presided over a public meeting to seek consensus on how to curb the rising crime rate in Shreveport. "We've got a lot of crime here. We've got a lot of violence here. And just because the numbers might be up or down a little bit, if you put them all together, this is a dangerous place, at times," Prator said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-says-shreveport-is-a-dangerous-place-at-times/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator says Shreveport is a dangerous place at times|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=May 16, 2018}}</ref>

On May 16, 2018, Prator presided over a public meeting to seek consensus on how to curb the rising crime rate in Shreveport. "We've got a lot of crime here. We've got a lot of violence here. And just because the numbers might be up or down a little bit, if you put them all together, this is a dangerous place, at times," Prator said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-says-shreveport-is-a-dangerous-place-at-times/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator says Shreveport is a dangerous place at time|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=May 16, 2018}}</ref>

In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019. Prator led a four-candidate field with 39,140 votes (65 percent). He defeated two Democrats, George Eric Hatfield, who polled 12,724 votes (21 percent), and the African-American, Hersy Jones, Jr., who drew 6,887 votes (11 percent). A No Party candidate, Glen Cornell, ran fourth with 1,523 votes (3 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref>

 

In 2017, Sheriff Prator opposed Democratic [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]'s planned release of state prisoners, a move also endorsed by the Louisiana District Attorneys Association as well as bipartisan members of the legislature. Prator said that the release would increase violent crime in Caddo Parish. "I wasn't elected to rehabilitate people. There needs to be more done before this law takes effect," Prator said. The [[liberal]] ''[[New York Times]]'' accused the sheriff of [[racism]] because he also described certain state prisoners as "bad" and those in parish prisons as "good" because they often perform trusty-type roles. In addition to the parish prisoners, the Caddo Parish Correctional Center houses inmates for the Louisiana Department of Corrections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2017/10/12/caddo-sheriff-prator-criticized-racist-remarks/759863001/|title=Caddo Sheriff Prator criticized for 'racist' remarks|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=October 12, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref>

In August 2018, Prator again criticized Governor John Bel Edwards' early release of numerous state prisoners under the "Justice Reinvestment Program." According to Prator, several crimes that he considers violent are now classified as non-violent. He also objects to the reduction in penalties for several violent offenses, including "a home invasion with a weapon." What earlier meant a five-year minimum sentence regarding a home invasion, the Edwards changes allow a one-year minimum sentence, followed by the offer of [[probation]] to the offender.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-highly-critical-of-prison-reform-efforts/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator highly critical of prison-reform efforts|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=August 22, 2018}}</ref>  

In August 2018, Prator again criticized Governor John Bel Edwards' early release of numerous state prisoners under the "Justice Reinvestment Program." According to Prator, several crimes that he considers violent are now classified as non-violent. He also objects to the reduction in penalties for several violent offenses, including "a home invasion with a weapon." What earlier meant a five-year minimum sentence regarding a home invasion, the Edwards changes allow a one-year minimum sentence, followed by the offer of [[probation]] to the offender.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/sheriff-steve-prator-highly-critical-of-prison-reform-efforts/|title=Sheriff Steve Prator highly critical of prison-reform efforts|publisher=KEEL Radio|accessdate=August 22, 2018}}</ref>  

As the disagreement with Prator escalated, Edwards stopped the pending appointment of Mrs. Prator to a seat on the Red River Waterway board of commissioners formerly held by the late [[Rogers M. Prestridge]] of Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/opinion/2018/08/16/gov-edwards-plays-politics-denies-caddo-waterway-commission-seat/1008148002/|title=Gov. Edwards plays politics to deny Caddo Parish a waterway commission seat|author=John E. Settle, Jr.|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 16, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}</ref> On August 30, Prator again questioned Edwards' criminal justice policies in an appearance on ''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'', a statewide [[radio]] broadcast. Instead, Edwards appointed Mike Deville of Rapides Parish to fill the slot. [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Neely Kennedy]] has strongly defended Prator in the dispute with Edwards. Kennedy, a potential Republican opponent to Edwards in 2019, said that he believes Edwards rejected Carolyn Prator's appointment because of the sheriff's earlier criticism of the governor's justice reforms, bipartisan measures that Kennedy himself also opposes. Kennedy cited the [[African-American]] Democratic state Senator Gregory Tarver of Shreveport, who was quoted in ''The Baton Rougee Advocate'' as having said that Edwards told him he blocked the nomination of Carolyn Prator because of her husband's opposition to the justice reforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2018/09/13/kennedy-accuses-edwards-vendetta-against-caddo-sheriff/1291981002/|title=Kennedy accuses Edwards of vendetta against Caddo sheriff

As the disagreement with Prator escalated, Edwards stopped the pending appointment of Mrs. Prator to a seat on the Red River Waterway board of commissioners formerly held by the late [[Rogers M. Prestridge]] of Shreveport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/opinion/2018/08/16/gov-edwards-plays-politics-denies-caddo-waterway-commission-seat/1008148002/|title=Gov. Edwards plays politics to deny Caddo Parish a waterway commission seat|author=John E. Settle, Jr.|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=August 16, 2018|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}</ref> On August 30, Prator again questioned Edwards' criminal justice policies in an appearance on ''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'', a statewide [[radio]] broadcast. Instead, Edwards appointed Mike Deville of Rapides Parish to fill the slot. [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Neely Kennedy]] has strongly defended Prator in the dispute with Edwards. Kennedy, a potential Republican opponent to Edwards in 2019, said that he believes Edwards rejected Carolyn Prator's appointment because of the sheriff's earlier criticism of the governor's justice reforms, bipartisan measures that Kennedy himself also opposes. Kennedy cited the [[African-American]] Democratic state Senator [[Greg Tarver]] of Shreveport, who was quoted in ''The Baton Rougee Advocate'' as having said that Edwards told him he blocked the nomination of Carolyn Prator because of her husband's opposition to the justice reforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2018/09/13/kennedy-accuses-edwards-vendetta-against-caddo-sheriff/1291981002/|title=Kennedy accuses Edwards of vendetta against Caddo sheriff

|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]||accessdate=September 16, 2018}}</ref>

|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|accessdate=September 16, 2018}}</ref>

 

In 2022, Sheriff Prator killed a state program, known by the unusual name "Mister Coffee Bean," which is intended to train certain felons to teach elementary school upon their release from prison. Prator said that while he supports efforts to reduce recidivism in prison, the program could put children into danger and should not be pursued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/education/2022/03/14/louisiana-program-put-felons-schools-teachers-suspended-caddo-sherrif-raises-issues-shreveport/7036700001/|title=Louisiana wanted to make felons teachers. Here's how the Caddo sheriff helped end the program|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=March 14, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}</ref>

 

Prator first announced that he would seek reelection to a seventh term as sheriff in the primary held on October 14, 2023; his term extends to July 1, 2024. However, he halted the reelection campaign because of a health scare involving a heart stent. He instead endorsed a fellow Republican, attorney and former Shreveport City Councilman John Christopher Nickelson (born September 28, 1979). Prator urges voters to back Nickelson to maintain the level of enforcing law and order and to manage the department on a fiscally sound basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/election/2023/07/16/former-city-councilman-john-nickelson-is-running-for-caddo-parish-sheriff/70400665007/|title=Former City Councilman John Nickelson is running for Caddo Parish Sheriff|author=Makenzie Boucher|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 16, 2023|accessdate=July 17, 2023}}</ref> Nickelson entered a November 18 runoff election against the African-American Democrat Henry Lee Whitehorn, Sr. (born September 30, 1954), a private security consultant and a former U.S. marshal. In the primary Nickelson finished with 45 percent to Whitehorn's 35 percent. Other candidates for sheriff eliminated in the primary were Republicans Shayne Gibson and Eric Hatfield and the Democrats Patricia "Pat" Gilley and Hersy Jones, Jr. If all the Republican voters had stuck together, Nickelson would have easily won win the second balloting.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2023.</ref> However, Nickelson in a much lower turnout was defeated by Whitehorn by a single vote, 21,620 to 21,621.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 18, 2023.</ref> Republican voters who sat out the runoff had only themselves to blame for Nickelson's defeat in an election with a turnout of only 28 percent. A recount on November 27 confirmed Whitehorn's one-vote margin.

 

 

The Louisiana Democrat Party chairman Katie Bernhardt rebuffed the need for a second election in the race, which she called a "threat to democracy" on the premise that two of the illegal voters were Republican officials backing Nickelson over Whitehorn. She likened the situation to the 2020 presidential election between [[Donald Trump]] and [[Joe Biden]], in which she claimed that the "Republicans don't like to accept when they have lost. Instead of following the will of the people, they simply use money and influence to attempt to overturn fair and lawful election results."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/louisiana-democratic-party-issues-statement-after-supreme-court-denies-appeal-in-caddo-sheriff-case/ar-AA1mgKLn?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=d0f1262aec5941f6b3c9ecb3ab4d77bc&ei=13|title=Louisiana Democratic Party issues statement after Supreme Court denies appeal in Caddo sheriff case|author=Britteny Hazelton|publisher=KSLA (CBS) in Shreveport|date=December 31, 2023|accessdate=January 1, 2024}}</ref>

In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019. Prator led a four-candidate field with 39,140 votes (65 percent). He defeated two Democrats, George Eric Hatfield, who polled 12,724 votes (21 percent), and the African-American, Hersy Jones, Jr., who drew 6,887 votes (11 percent). A No Party candidate, Glen Cornell, ran fourth with 1,523 votes (3 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref>

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Scott Jackson Crichton said that neither Nickelson or Whitehorn was at fault with the election outcome: "Ballots failing to comply with the signature requirements should have been disqualified, yet the trial court found five that were not. In an election separated by a single vote, this cannot be deemed harmless." Crichton added, "When a court is presented with proven errors, even when no candidate is responsible for those errors, it is compelled to act and uphold our Election Code." He cited the previous court ruling of ''Adkins v. Huckabay'': “A tolerance of deviations from legal requirements could lead to a manipulation of elections and affect the integrity of an election and the sanctity of the ballot.” "In this case, a new election will ensure confidence in the final outcome."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/new-caddo-sheriffs-election-moves-forward-la-supreme-court-doesnt-hear-appeal/article_53485cd4-a5e8-11ee-a8f0-c3a6cf7889ef.html|title=New Caddo sheriff's election moves forward; La. Supreme Court doesn't hear appeal|publisher=KTBS-TV (ABC) in Shreveport|date=December 28, 2023|accessdate=January 3, 2024}}</ref> Whitehorn won the rematch over Nickelson on March 23, 2024, with 21,147 votes (53 percent) to the Republican's 18,800 (47 percent). Voter turnout was 42.3 percent. Once again, many Caddo Republicans failed to show up to vote for their party nominee for sheriff.

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Tennessee]]

[[Category:Tennessee]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:Christians]]

[[Category:Christians]]