LEE COUNTY, Ala. — Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones has fired Deputy Cam Hunt after Hunt informed Jones of his intention to run against him in the 2026 sheriff’s election—a move that stunned many inside the department and sparked public debate over free speech and political retaliation.
Hunt, a Marine Corps veteran and respected member of the department, personally told Jones about his candidacy before making it public. Instead of offering a leave of absence or requesting a resignation—a precedent often followed in other Alabama offices—Jones terminated Hunt’s employment with immediate effect, citing the campaign challenge as the reason.
Sources inside the Lee County Sheriff’s Office say that Jones also warned staff that anyone showing support for Hunt’s campaign, even liking his social media posts, could expect to be dismissed as well. This broad threat of termination for political expression has drawn sharp criticism from observers and advocates for fair elections, raising concerns about the misuse of public office and taxpayer funds.
Alabama law grants sheriffs significant power to remove deputies at will, unlike some states where employees are protected when entering political contests. Critics say the state’s lack of anti-retaliation statutes in law enforcement creates an environment where incumbents can silence would-be challengers and their supporters, undermining local democracy.
The firing, seen by many as a heavy-handed and unprecedented move, adds to existing community concerns over Jones’s leadership and the need for a generational change in Lee County law enforcement. Hunt remains determined to continue his campaign despite his abrupt dismissal.