Susan Hutson defeated Sheriff Marilyn Gusman in Saturday’s runoff election. Returning to the Louisiana Secretary of State program, Hutson won with 53% of the vote. Gusman had been a sheriff since 2004, according to the sheriff’s website.
Hutson also became the first black woman to be elected sheriff in the state of Louisiana, according to CNN affiliate WGNO.
In the November primary, Gusman had a 13-point lead over Hutson, with 48 percent to 35 percent. The race had a runoff because no one received at least 51% of the vote.
“History has been made,” Hutson said in a Facebook statement. “I am so proud and humbled to call you our next sheriff. Thank you so much to all the campaign staff, our community organizers, faith community, non-profit organizations, neighbors and friends.” .
“Let’s get to work,” he added.
Hutson was an independent police monitor for the New Orleans Police Department for 10 years, according to her campaign website. According to your website, the position was created in 2008 when Orleans Parish voters approved a referendum to establish an office to oversee changes in the city police department.
Her campaign focused on criminal justice reform, including opposition to parish jail expansion, providing gender-affirmed housing and ending the contract with the prison’s health care provider, her website said. tells