A Union County native, appointed as Jailer after the retirement of Kathy Smith, is running in the upcoming Primary Election to retain his position.
Jailer Shawn Elder tells WMSK News he was born and raised in Union County, he’s a UCHS graduate, and he graduated from Murray State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. After college, he received managerial experience, as well as experience in law enforcement.
Elder tells me the biggest thing he has done since becoming jailer was looking at the jail’s budget and finding ways to save the county money. He adds after studying all the numbers he has started moving the jail in a different direction by housing state inmates, which has accomplished.
Another thing he has accomplished since becoming jailer is the collection of inmate housing fees.
In the future, he wants to continue to find new ways to decrease subsidies, decrease expenses and raise the revenue. Another thing he would like to do is continue to take in more state inmates.
Elder feels residents should vote for him for jailer because of his accomplishments at the facility since his appointment.
On a personal note, Elder has been married for eight years and has two children.
Jailer Elder and his opponent, long-time jail employee Michelle Steele, will be on the Democrat Primary Election ballot.