Incumbent Carroll County Sheriff James T. “Jim” DeWees secured a decisive victory over challenger Jay Landsman Jr. in the Republican primary held Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Maryland State Board of Elections. With all precincts reporting along with early and some mail-in ballots, DeWees received 9,563 votes compared to Landsman’s 4,007.

DeWees, who has held the sheriff’s office since his initial election in 2014, had faced no opposition in his previous two campaigns. This year’s contest marked the first time in over a decade that he was challenged in a primary. His campaign has underscored his support for formal 287(g) agreements that facilitate cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This stance comes after Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed legislation earlier this year prohibiting such agreements.

Beyond immigration enforcement, DeWees has voiced criticism of the state’s juvenile justice system and expressed firm opposition to the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project—a proposed power line—advocating on behalf of local landowners impacted by the project. During the campaign, he aligned his efforts with Carroll County State’s Attorney candidate Allan Culver.

His opponent, Jay Landsman Jr., presented himself as a candidate offering a “fresh perspective,” drawing on 26 years of experience with the Baltimore County Police Department. Landsman’s platform targeted community concerns related to traffic management and the spillover of criminal activity from nearby jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania.

Following his primary victory, DeWees will go on to face Democratic nominee Gail Wickless in the November general election. Wickless, a former Baltimore County Police officer, is expected to challenge DeWees as the county’s next sheriff.