National Criminal Enforcement Association endorses Slate Simons

HOUSTON COUNTY—The National Criminal Enforcement Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting law enforcement and public safety, announced on May 1 that it will officially endorse Houston County sheriff candidate Slate Simons. 

NCEA Executive Director Michael Lewis wrote a letter announcing the endorsement, sharing that he has known Simons for years and witnessed his dedication to upholding the law and ensuring community safety. 

“A seasoned drug interdiction expert who has achieved national recognition for his record drug seizures, Slate has dedicated his life to the protection of Houston County, a county that deserves someone with extensive experience in drug and criminal enforcement. A candidate who has the necessary experience to protect your house. Slate’s legacy is one of tireless dedication, devotion, perseverance and justice for all. The citizens of Houston County deserve nothing less than the best. Slate Simons’ proven record of commitment to his community, and to the people of Houston County remains unparalleled,” Lewis wrote. 

Simons said it was an honor and blessing to receive the endorsement since the NCEA is a nationwide association. He also shared that he has been to several NCEA conferences, and at the end of his career, he worked in criminal interdictions.

Simons said Lewis is one of the top criminal interdictors in the country. When he served as a sergeant on Interstate Criminal Enforcement with his K-9, he said he was blessed to work alongside him. 

He said they are all in a network with each other, and if one of them encounters a case, they plug it into a pipeline, which helps them keep track of each other. This helps interdictors see trends and become more intelligent when combating cartels.

“I’ve known him for several years and he has been more like a mentor to me and many others. To have him publicly endorse me on my sheriff’s campaign is just absolutely a blessing. I am absolutely thrilled to receive it,” Simons said. 

He shares he hopes the endorsement will make people realize he has worked in criminal interdictions at a level where he was combatting cartels from South America. Simons wants people to know he was on the front lines for Houston County. 

“I understand what to look for and all the way through prosecution. Being successful as I was due to all my training and experience, I want them to understand that I will be the tip of the spear, and I understand exactly what it takes, and I plan to expand upon that even further,” he said.

Simons shared his campaign has been gaining significant traction, with his support growing every month. He has been fortunate to receive endorsements from influential figures, including Gary Vowell, a retired colonel from the Georgia State Patrol, which has further bolstered his campaign. 

Simons said Vowell has been a mentor, who went through a similar predicament in his campaign. He said Vowell was not endorsed by the existing sheriff, but Vowell made and won the runoff during his campaign. 

“I hope to do the same. I hope to make the runoff if Houston County citizens will bless me, and it will be full speed ahead,” he said.

Simons shared since January, he has been the only candidate knocking on doors, earning votes, and running his campaign on his own two feet.

“I’m doing this majority on my own dime and my own time. I just want to prove to Houston County citizens that I am the one that worked this hard. If no one else is, then that’s something to consider once that person is in office. It’s been a blessing for the experience and to work hard again for Houston County as I did my previous years for the sheriff’s office,” he said.

Simons also wants people to know he has more years of service at the Houston County Sheriff’s office and more training hours than the other candidates combined.

“I feel like that is something to be stood for,” he said. 

He wants people to know that being sheriff is a huge responsibility he does not take lightly, adding he knows all sides of the role.

“I understand the business side of it as I own a local heating and air business, budgetary constraints and staffing. I know what it’s like to meet those demands. I’ve been consistent and extremely successful. I just understand the law enforcement side, the business side and continue to always put the citizens of Houston County first and serve them in the capacity that they deserve,” he said. 

To find out more about Slate Simons and his campaign visit his website.