First Openly Gay Sheriff Elected In Deep Red State, Vows Action On Flock Safety Cameras

Brett Jones, the first openly gay sheriff to be elected in Alabama, campaigned on transparency, jail reform and discontinuing the county’s contract with Flock, the controversial license plate reader system that has sparked widespread concern. https://t.co/ff0UOUx6Z1

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 7, 2026

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Jones received the endorsement of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, which identified him as the first out gay person who would hold the office in Alabama.

A former Navy SEAL, CIA contractor, and police officer, Jones emphasized public safety, transparency, and accountability throughout his campaign. His proposals included independent, public reviews of every death in custody, higher training standards for deputies and expanded support for people leaving the county jail, according to the SPLC Action Fund, which also endorsed him.

Jones also opposed the sheriff’s office’s use of Flock cameras, arguing that access to people’s movements raises privacy concerns. He pledged to end the office’s Flock contracts and require warrants for the use of license plate readers he could not remove.

His campaign website says his SEAL team deployed two weeks after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. He later worked with the CIA’s Global Response Staff, providing protection overseas.

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Democrat Candidate Defeats Republican Incumbent To Become Deep Red State’s First ‘Transgender’ Lawmaker

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