Decision 2024: Meet Matt Moulton, candidate for Houston County Sheriff
Early voting began on October 15 and ends on November 1. Election day is November 5.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Matt Moulton and Arthur Lee Harris are on the ballot for Houston County Sheriff.
41NBC’s Monica Diaz-Meek spoke with Matt Moulton ahead of the November 5 election.
Candidate name: Matt Moulton
Running for: Houston County Sheriff
Campaign Website: mattmoultonforsheriff.com
MONICA- Welcome back. Today we have Matt Moulton who’s running for Houston County Sheriff joining us. Thank you for being here today.
MATT- Thanks for having me. I’m excited to be back.
MONICA- I am excited to ask you a few questions about the election, but obviously we need to talk about what’s happening in Houston County. Sheriff Tarleton passed away. First off, from 41NBC, we are so sorry. We are praying for you guys. I know he was the longest serving sheriff. And so I have to ask, how are you guys doing? Do you want to offer any words?
MATT- Yeah. You know, we’ve been very fortunate, very blessed by the outpouring of love and support not only from Houston County, but from surrounding counties. I mean, all over the state of Georgia. You know, Governor Kemp and his wife, Mrs. Marty, attended the funeral yesterday. And, that’s a huge thing. You know, when the Governor of the State of Georgia, especially as busy as he is, takes time out of his schedule to come and honor Sheriff Talton, just tells you how great of a man he was.
MONICA- Well, thank you for sharing that again. Prayers are with all of you guys. Now I want to start off with our questions. First off, what are the main priorities that you plan to address if elected sheriff of Houston County and how will you do that?
MATT- The first thing is going to be addressing the crime. You know, the violent crime in the youth population. And I think we’re going to do that by increasing our manpower, getting our manpower back up to, to staffing. The county commission approved for additional patrol slots in the last budget year. But with our shortage, we haven’t even attained that number yet. So working hard to recruit, get good qualified deputies on board and, and then address the crime problem.
MONICA- Why do you think that you are the best person for this job?
MATT- You know, I think I’ve worked hard my entire career. You know, I started from high school. I went to college, I got a degree in criminal justice, bachelor’s degree from College of the Ozarks in Missouri. And then I went back to college after I started my career at the Warner Robins police department and got a master’s degree in public administration. For the last 28 years, I have served as a law enforcement officer, 24 of the 28 years right here in Houston County. I know the current trends in law enforcement. I’m up to date on technology. I believe technology is the gateway to the future for law enforcement. And, I’m on board with advancing our technology.
And, you know, the thing about this election is you’re running as a Republican or a Democrat, and the office of sheriff is not just Republican or Democrat or independent. You know, you’re not going to call our 911 center and their first question be, did you vote Republican or Democrat? We’re here to help everyone in the community. And that is my goal. It’s going to be the priority of the sheriff’s office. So, you know, even though I’m running as a Republican, I’m asking Democrats to support me, to trust me and I won’t let them down.
MONICA- What’s your reaction to the record breaking voter turnout. What does that say to you about this upcoming election cycle?
MATT- Right now? I just think it shows how important it is. If you think back with Sheriff Talton for the last 51 years, nine months and 19 days, Sheriff Talton served as the sheriff of Houston County. Although he had opposition three times, those elections were never close. Sheriff Talton was elected in November of ’72, took office January of ’73, and I was born in January of ’74. He’s been the sheriff my entire life. So I think that the interest in the position of sheriff is we want to make sure we get it right. The voters want to make sure we put the right person in that position to continue the legacy set by Sheriff Talton, and that is fair and impartial policing, having an open door policy to the community, showing the people that we care. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Sheriff Talton is about relationship building. And I think that’s going to be key to my success as sheriff and to the success of the sheriff’s office.
MONICA- Well, thank you so much.
MATT- Thank you.
