x
Breaking News
More () »

New sheriff in town | Wayne Wiley wins Pulaski County Sheriff race by 17 votes

After voters went to the polls, the people of Pulaski County elevated a Georgia State Patrol retiree to serve as the next sheriff.

PULASKI COUNTY, Ga. — Voters in Pulaski County have spoken.

After three terms with Danny Brannen as sheriff, Wayne Wiley narrowly beat Terry Hood in the run-off election and will take the reins of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.

After all 1,680 votes were counted, Wiley won by nearly 1% of the vote. Because the total was above 0.5%, that means Hood is unable to call for a recount as Georgia law only allows recounts for candidates who lose by under 0.5% of the vote. 

It comes after incumbent Sheriff Brannen failed to garner enough votes to make it into the run-off. 

RELATED: Elections: What you need to know for run-off elections in Central Georgia

Gov. Brian Kemp’s office previously started an investigation into whether Brannen was fit for office and should be removed “due to incapacity” back in 2023.  

While the election technically only settles the republican nomination for Pulaski County Sheriff, there is no Democrat running. As a result, Wiley will be the next sheriff barring a successful write-in campaign. 

Here’s how Pulaski County voted in the run-off election.

Terry Hood: 49.49% (833 VOTES)

Wayne Wiley: 50.51%% (850 VOTES)

Wiley retired from the Georgia State Patrol and previously was in charge of the aviation department. Hood is a former probation officer in Pulaski County, but he currently serves as a Dodge County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

RELATED: Pulaski County voters oust Sheriff Danny Brannen, race heads to runoff

In the primary back on May 21, four challengers to Brannen emerged. After that race, Hood and Wiley were put back on the ballot after neither secured the 50% needed to win the race outright.

Here’s a look at the results of the first round of voting back in May 

Terry Hood: 27.72% (550 VOTES)

Wayne Wiley: 42.84% (850 VOTES) 

Amanda Vaughn: 4.89%, (97 VOTES) 

Danny Brannen: 8.37%, (166 VOTES) 

Greg Hattaway: 16.18%, (321 VOTES) 

There's an array of run-off elections across Central Georgia. For vote tallies as they come into the 13WMAZ newsroom, you can find them here. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out