Incumbent Sheriff Anthony Lowery holds off Matt McKenzie in Baldwin County race

Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery successfully defended his position on Tuesday, emerging victorious in a tight Republican primary race against Baldwin County Commissioner Matt McKenzie. According to complete but unofficial tallies, Lowery secured 51.9% of the vote—totaling 16,514 ballots—to edge out McKenzie, who finished with 48.09% of the vote at 15,297 ballots.

Path to Victory

This primary win effectively secures a full four-year term for Lowery, as he faces no Democratic opposition in the upcoming general election on November 3. The incumbent sheriff, who was initially appointed to the role in 2024 to replace the retiring Huey “Hoss” Mack, benefited from a significant campaign finance advantage, holding a nearly 4-to-1 spending lead over his challenger throughout the race.

Campaign Background

Lowery brings two decades of experience within the Sheriff’s Department, including a stint as the project manager for the county’s jail expansion. His predecessor, Mack—who currently serves as the executive director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association—offered a key endorsement for Lowery heading into the primary.

McKenzie, a retired Alabama State Trooper, had previously sought the sheriff appointment from Gov. Kay Ivey in 2024. During this campaign, he secured the backing of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 43 in Fairhope, one of the largest FOP lodges in Alabama. Despite that support, he ultimately fell 1,217 votes short of the incumbent in a race that 205focus.com reported as a high-stakes contest for local law enforcement leadership.