Roberson won 51% of the vote over Republican candidate Doug Bedford, a former undersheriff who knocked Hayden out of the race in the August primary. The historic win marks new ground for Democrats and further cements Johnson County’s evolving identity as a party stronghold in Kansas.

Voters headed to polls to cast votes in General Election ballot for Johnson County, Kansas Sheriff candidates Doug Bedford, Byron Roberson

Byron Roberson, the Prairie Village Police Chief, is the first Democrat in years to hold the position of Johnson County Sheriff. Incumbent Calvin Hayden, a Republican, lost in the August primary to Doug Bedford.

With incumbent Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden losing his bid for reelection in the August primary, voters Tuesday decided on a new sheriff.

Voters in Johnson County, Kansas have officially selected Democrat Byron Roberson as the new county sheriff in a tight race against Republican Doug Bedford.