Cooper declares victory as Barnes concedes in race for Sacramento County Sheriff

In a statement issued yesterday, Assemblymember Jim Cooper announced he received a concession call yesterday from his opponent in the race for Sacramento County Sheriff.

According to Cooper, after yesterday’s votes update released from the Sacramento County Voters Registration and Elections, Jim Barnes called and conceded the race. Tallies have Cooper with 164,441 votes to Barnes’ 137,424.

“Yesterday, my opponent Undersheriff Jim Barnes called to give his congratulations and conceded the race,” Cooper said in the statement.

Cooper’s victory returns him to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Cooper retired from his Captain’s position in 2014 following a 30-year career when he was elected to the 9th District California Assembly seat.

Along with serving in the California Assembly, Cooper served on the Elk Grove City Council for 14 years and was the city’s first Mayor in 2000.

Although Cooper retired and served in the California Assembly, it was well known he sought the Sheriff’s position.

In 2010 Cooper lost to Scott Jones, who currently holds the position.

When Jones announced he would not seek a fourth term, Cooper entered the Sheriff’s race. Jones ran for California’s 3rd District in the June primary but came in third place and was eliminated from the November general election.

A 24-year Sheriff’s Department veteran, Barnes said on social media, “My mission moving forward will continue as it has been for more than two decades, to protect the residents of Sacramento County, nothing can change that.”

Given his new boss will be Cooper, it’s not usual for people in such a position with an executive role with an organization to retire.