JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas — Voters in Jefferson County are gearing up for the primary election where they'll be voting for the Sheriff.
Democratic incumbent Sheriff Zena Stephens faces a challenge from Shanter Norman.
Voters first elected Sheriff Stephens in 2016. She was Texas' first elected female black sheriff.
Norman has spent 15 years in law enforcement. More than 10 of those, were working with Jefferson County Corrections and as a patrol officer with the sheriff's office.
"I served my country and I came home to serve my community," Norman said.
Norman, a Gulf War Army veteran and West Orange Independent School District police officer, believes he's the breath of fresh air that Jefferson County needs.
"The morale of your department is based on the person that's in charge," he said.
Norman believes the sheriff's office needs to collaborate with surrounding law enforcement agencies. He also wants to reform the standards of the Jefferson County Jail and add more qualified dispatchers to better serve the community.
"I would like to have some Hispanic dispatchers. For the reaction time, the language barrier. Have one every shift. Without a bilingual dispatcher, minutes and seconds count," said Norman.
Sheriff Stephens says that she's been able to accomplish a lot in her time in office and wants to continue to do it.
"I think we have great relationships across partisan lines in our community. We've done a lot of good things, and I'd love to continue doing this job," said Stephens.
She wants to create diversion centers to rehabilitate offenders who are suffering from mental health challenges.
"Our community needs it. To divert people who are suffering from mental health issues from the criminal justice system and getting them the help they need. It costs taxpayers a whole lot of money to house those individuals in our correctional facility," Stephens said.
Stephens says she successfully implemented technology for inmates to maintain better contact with families. She also wants to maintain the professionalism and fiscal responsibility of the department.
"We started a lot of initiatives, and we just want to have the opportunity to finish those things," Stephens told 12News.
Whoever wins the democratic party will face republican Steven Broussard.
Tomorrow's polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., so be sure you make your way out to the polls to make your voice heard.