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ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO) – Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith denied Jack Strain a sixth term in the runoff election Saturday.  Smith snagged about 52% of the vote. It is one of the biggest political victories in Saint Tammany Parish in decades.  Strain was first elected sheriff 20 years ago.  In his five wins for the office, some were unopposed.  He helped make the parish a safe place which became a major factor for many people deciding to live and raise their families there.  In fact, Strain’s campaign message this time around basically centered on his promise to deliver more of the same quality of law enforcement that the parish enjoyed for decades while remaining one of the state’s fastest growing areas. Smith is in his second term as Slidell’s police chief.  He is term limited and would not be able to seek another.  On the campaign trail, Smith told voters that it was time for a change in the sheriff’s office.  Part of that change, he says, should include term limits for sheriff. “The people in this parish are ready for new leadership, new direction, and I’m bringing a positive change tonight,” Smith told WGNO News. Saturday night, Smith said his next step would be assembling a transition team to take over the reins at the sheriff’s office.  He has seven months to resign his post in Slidell, after which a special election will select his successor. “Make sure those guys, those men and women that work there (Saint Tammany Sheriff’s Office), are on my team,” Smith said regarding his other early priorities.  “Make sure they’re taken care of, put them in the subdivisions, and make ’em right.” Strain promised to help Smith with the transition. “I’ll make sure in the next seven months that we do everything we can to help him understand the challenges that we believe he will face,” Strain said.
  • Sheriff Jack Strain, with his daughter by his side, concedes the race
  • Tears and hugs from supporters at Sheriff Jack Strain's election party
As for his future, Stain says he’s still young (Strain is 52-yrs-old) and he looks forward to exploring the next chapter of his life.  He also says he’s ready to spend more time with his wife and new grandson. “You’re not sheriff just 8 hours a day and go home — the phone calls — if you’re passionate about it,” Strain told WGNO News.  “So we look forward to enjoying retirement.” For more election results click here.