ST. LOUIS — In his second attempt in four years, Alfred Montgomery, 27, unseated 51ºÚÁÏ Sheriff Vernon Betts, 71, in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.
Final unofficial returns showed Montgomery, a former sheriff’s deputy, with 50.3% of the vote and Betts with 49.7%.
Montgomery’s victory followed months of sharply worded barbs between the two. The two blasted each other as either corrupt or unqualified.
At one point, they fought over a bill in the state Legislature supported by Betts that could have disqualified Montgomery from running because he is not a state-licensed peace officer.
Montgomery complained, noting that Betts wasn’t licensed when he first was elected sheriff in 2016, and the bill ended up dying in the House.
Four years ago, Betts easily defeated Montgomery, 61% to 28%.
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Montgomery will face Libertarian Party nominee Joy Denise Dabney in the Nov. 5 general election. No Republicans filed for the post this year.
51ºÚÁÏ Sheriff Vernon Betts, left, was defeated Tuesday by Alfred Montgomery, a former deputy.Â
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Mark Schlinkmann | Post-Dispatch
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