HENRY COUNTY – The sheriff’s race in Henry County had direct implications for one Newton County deputy.

Longtime sergeant with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Jack Redlinger lost his bid for Henry County sheriff during Tuesday’s election. Redlinger, who ran as a Republican, faced off against incumbent Reginald B. Scandrett. Scandrett received 65.6 percent of the vote, while Redlinger only received 34.44 percent.

Redlinger has been with the NCSO since 2007, serving in a number of roles. According to his LinkedIn page, he established and is in charge of the traffic, motors and H.E.A.T. units. He also serves as Newton County’s public information officer.

Redlinger released the following statement to The Covington News.

“While the results of this election didn’t go as we had hoped, I want to start by offering my congratulations to Sheriff Scandrett on his re-election. I extend my best wishes to him as he continues to lead our community in the years ahead.

To all of my supporters, thank you. Your belief in this campaign and in the vision we shared for a safer, better Henry County has been truly inspiring. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate your tireless efforts — whether you spread the word, handed out flyers, or held signs. This journey wouldn’t have been possible without you.

A huge thank you as well to my amazing campaign team. Your dedication has been unwavering, and I’m grateful for every hour you put in to help make this campaign a success.
And to the people of Henry County, whether you voted for me or not, thank you for your engagement and for participating in this important democratic process. We may not always agree on every issue, but it’s clear that this community cares deeply about its future.
As we move forward, I ask you to continue supporting our law enforcement. They play a vital role in keeping our community safe, and we must stand behind them as they carry out the difficult work of protecting us all.
Although this election is behind us, I remain committed to improving Henry County. The issues we raised — public safety, trust in law enforcement, and community well-being —are still critical. I’ll continue advocating for those causes, and I hope you’ll join me in that effort.
Thank you again for your trust, your time, and your energy. Let’s all keep working together to make Henry County the best it can.”