Marcus Sewell, a longtime resident of Dawson County, launched his Facebook page, Marcus Sewell for Sheriff, last week which officially announced his campaign for the May 2020 election.
Form 2005 until 2009, Sewell worked for the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office as a jail deputy then was promoted to sergeant before transferring to the patrol division. In 2009, Sewell accepted a position as assistant jail commander in the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. From there, Sewell served as Jail Commander, Special Services Commander (overseeing drug investigations, K9 deputies, school resource officers, victims advocate and animal control) and currently serves as Commander of Criminal Investigations.
Sewell said he decided to run for sheriff about 18 months ago after feeling it was the path God was putting him on.
“People ask me why I want to do this because there’s no fame in this and I tell people ‘I’ve got a servant’s heart,’” Sewell said. “I serve my God, I serve my family and I serve my community.”
Sewell said his bid for sheriff isn’t about him; it’s about the people of Dawson County.
“I believe that I bring a great deal of leadership and experience to this agency and I’m vested here,” Sewell said. “I believe in bringing the community and the sheriff’s office together.”
One of his primary concerns he would address if elected as the next sheriff would be the office’s budget and finding ways to streamline the agency to make it as efficient as possible.
“The budget is a huge concern because every dollar in the budget represents the taxpayers,” Sewell said. “You as a citizen want to make sure that that penny, quarter, dollar is spent in the best interest for you.”
Sewell said he would be strategic with the budget and be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, making sure he prioritizes the needs of the office over the wants. The first need, and most important need of the office, according to Sewell, is paying officers a fair wage and retaining officers in the department.
“I believe in taking care of them and paying them a fair wage,” Sewell said. “You can do that when you adjust your management of your positions, where you streamline your agency, make it more efficient and put the money back in the pockets of the men and women of your department.”
Sewell also said he would not spend any of the budget on community events. Instead, money for community events, programs and charities would be raised by the sheriff’s office.
“I do not believe in using tax dollars in your budget for community events, whether it’s Shop with a Cop, or a dinner or any of that. I believe personally that money should be raised by the sheriff’s office,” Sewell said.
Community involvement is very important for Sewell as he hopes to not only keep current community events in place, but also expand upon certain initiatives and implement some of his own. Ideally, Sewell would like to create a Citizens Advisory Service Board for graduates of the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy that would like to continue their involvement with the sheriff’s office. The board could help fundraise for charity events, provide meals for the deputies and help at local events, something Sewell has seen great success in while serving in Lumpkin County.
Sewell has lived in Dawson County since 1989, having moved here at the age of nine. He is married to Amber, who is a nurse at Mount Sinai Wellness Center. They have two children: Tristan, 8, and Alena, 4. Sewell is a home pastor at Harvest Baptist Church. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and being involved with community sports either as a player or coach.
“I’m not perfect, never said I was perfect. I got flaws like anybody else, probably more flaws. But I know where my heart is and it’s with Dawson County,” Sewell said. “I ask for their vote and their support, but most importantly ask for prayers for me and my family.”