MONROE COUNTY, TENN. — Jim "Jimbo" Kile defeated incumbent Sheriff Tommy Jones by nearly 4,000 votes in the May Republican primary in Monroe County, Tennessee. Kile is running unopposed in the August general election.

"It was exciting, but at the same time it was very humbling that I had that many people that put their trust in me," Kile said of the primary result. A Sweetwater native, he has worked in law enforcement since 1994.

He began his career in corrections before moving into patrol with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, later worked with a drug task force, and became one of the county's first school resource officers. He subsequently joined the Sweetwater Police Department, where he currently serves as a sergeant supervising the school resource officer program.

"Law enforcement's pretty much all I've ever done, and I felt like that we needed change at the sheriff's department," he said. "I felt like the county had lost confidence in the department, and as a career law enforcement officer, that bothered me. I wanted to step up and serve my county."

The campaign followed the February 2025 death of Lester Isbill, a 74-year-old retired preacher who died after being restrained in a chair with a bag over his head for hours inside a jail cell. Isbill had been arrested on a disorderly conduct charge prior to his death. Monroe County leaders settled a $2 million lawsuit connected to the case.

Kile outlined his priorities for the office. "The forefront of everything we're gonna do, the accountability, the transparency, the community involvement. That's one of the key things going forward. We're gonna tackle the drug problem head-on, and we're gonna tackle the confidence issue that I think a lot of citizens have," he said.

He plans to restart a citizens academy and renew drug awareness programs in local schools. He has also spoken with outgoing Sheriff Jones, and the two agree the county will benefit from a smooth transition.

"Open door, if you need me, come find me," Kile said. "I'll be at the sheriff's office or I'll be out on patrol."