THOMASVILLE — One of the longest serving sheriffs in Georgia is asking voters to return him to office one more time.

Carlton Powell has been the Thomas County sheriff for 44 years. Only Cullen Talton, who has been sheriff in Houston County since 1972, eclipses Powell’s time in office in the state. 

“I’m a workaholic,” Powell said. “I hardly ever take a vacation. I do enjoy my job. I do enjoy helping people.”

Powell, a Democrat, faces Republican challenger Joey Blackburn in this year’s general election. 

“A sheriff’s race always generates the most local interest,” Powell said. “As the sheriff’s office goes, so goes your county. The sheriff has a lot of influence with the everyday working man. The sheriff has an opportunity to touch more people.”

Powell also pointed to the longevity of many of the people who work for the sheriff’s office. 

“It is a tremendous help,” he said. ‘I have people who have worked here 25, 30 years. They’ve got a lot of experience. They also know the limits of what they can and can’t do. I have a very loyal force of people working here.”

Powell said he would like to continue the same traditions the sheriff’s office has in place.

“A new shoe might look good,” the sheriff said, “but sometimes it doesn’t wear well.”

Powell also said a sheriff needs to be pragmatic and keep up with the law as it changes. His office also does not have a quota for tickets, he said, and puts an emphasis on major crimes. 

But he also has issues with what is known as 21st century policing, which Powell decries as overlooking issues such as windows being knocked out.

“It has some good things in it,” he said, “but it has some things that are not policing at all, in my way of thinking.”

A sheriff’s office’s duties have evolved immensely, even as recently as from the 1960s, Powell said, when by state constitution the office had the tasks of going after moonshiners and investigating deaths when medical personnel were not involved. 

Now, the sheriff’s office is called for not just law enforcement concerns but for sundry other issues.

“The sheriff’s office is really kind of a catch-all,” Powell said.

In his first race, Powell won nearly 64% of the vote as he, his mother and his sisters knocked on every door of the county. Two years later, he squeaked out a win, despite losing 12 of 17 precincts, he recalled. 

“Every race you run is different,” he said. “This has been a year-long campaign.”

Now seeking his 12th term in office, Powell said the advantage of being an incumbent is he’s been there. The opponent’s advantage, he said, is “they can make wild promises they cannot keep that you as the incumbent know they can’t keep, but they say they can do it.”

Powell said his tenure in office is a reflection of the people he serves.

“Thomas County is a unique county,” he said. “Your ability to be here a long time is because of the clientele you’ve got here.” 

Powell also pointed to his ability to relate to the people who come to his office for help.

“I’m as blue collar as you can get,” he said.