Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing has worn the county’s top badge for 16 years. Tuesday, he announced his intention to run again for the county’s top law enforcement position.

In a social media post, Rushing stated, “After prayerful consideration, this morning I officially announce my decision to run for reelection as Your Lincoln County Sheriff. I am truly honored and humbled to have served as your Sheriff. In the coming months I will be asking for your vote and support to continue the work we started together over 16 years ago. Thanks again to everyone for the continued support and prayers!”

“My heart’s still in it,” Rushing said Tuesday. “And we’ve still got some work to do. I’ve had a lot of prayers, and a lot of support, and I’d like to keep doing the job for the people of the county.”

Rushing is running as a Republican. During his tenure as Lincoln County’s sheriff, Rushing has served on a Gov. Tate Reeves-selected committee to find a new commissioner for the Mississippi Department of Corrections in 2020; has served as president of the Mississippi Sheriff’s Association twice; served on the MSA legislative committee; and as MSA president met with a U.S. presidential round table group on federal prison rules in 2018, with then-president Donald Trump.

A graduate of Copiah-Lincoln Community College with a degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi, Rushing joined the sheriff’s office in 1996 and moved up to captain of investigations before he became sheriff in 2006.

“If the people will have me, I’d like to keep doing it,” he said.