In a surprising turn of events, Lee County, Alabama’s long-serving sheriff, Jay Jones, faced a primary defeat, largely attributed to his stance against Trump-era immigration policies.
Jones, who had held the position for 30 years, was ousted by Cameron “Cam” Hunt, a former deputy who narrowly won with around 51 percent of the votes. This election marks a historic change in the sheriff’s office, as Jones had served from 1998 onward.
Starting his career in 1975, Jones has extensive experience with the sheriff’s office and has also worked as an adjunct professor at both Auburn University and Southern Union State Community College.
During his time in office, Jones emphasized his collaboration with federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), regularly notifying them of illegal aliens in custody and supporting lawful detainer requests.
However, the sheriff’s race was steeped in controversy over immigration enforcement. Hunt critiqued Jones for not engaging in the federal 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to partake in certain immigration enforcement under ICE’s guidance.
Hunt highlighted that Lee County was among 31 sheriff’s offices in Alabama not involved in this program, arguing this made the community less secure. After a deputy-involved shooting in April 2026, involving an individual Hunt labeled as allegedly undocumented, he reiterated his commitment to ensuring participation in 287(g) if elected.
The moment Cam Hunt secured victory in the race for Lee County sheriff…
According to unofficial results, Hunt received 9,301 votes, defeating incumbent Sheriff Jay Jones, who received 8,994 votes.
🔗➡️ https://t.co/UVux8afY3H pic.twitter.com/KI02Anf1p6
— Colin Scroggins (@cnaw_colin) May 20, 2026
Jones countered these accusations by defending his office’s record and labeled the criticism as misleading. He argued that joining the 287(g) program would entail additional responsibilities and potential legal liabilities, maintaining that a lack of formal participation had not inhibited effective collaboration with ICE.
The 287(g) program, created under federal law, permits local agencies to form agreements with the Department of Homeland Security for immigration enforcement assistance. This initiative gained momentum during the Trump administration as part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials.
Tensions escalated in the department when Jones terminated Hunt for campaigning without resigning as a deputy in October 2025. This decision helped fuel Hunt’s motivation leading up to the primary.
Ultimately, Hunt’s narrow victory signifies a new chapter for Lee County as he prepares to take office as the first new sheriff in nearly three decades.
