CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The mud is flying in the Clayton County sheriff's race.
Clayton County Sheriff Kem Kimbrough is in a runoff next Tuesday with former sheriff Victor Hill. Channel 2's John Bachman watched as accusations of lying, inappropriate sex and campaign fraud went back and forth in a Wednesday morning debate.
Hill faces a 37-count indictment for misusing campaign money and county equipment during his term.
He in turn accuses Kimbrough of making up the charges to win the election.
"He and his deputies lied to the grand jury," Hill said. "These charges he brought, not the FBI, not the GBI, in fear of what's happening today in fear he'd be in runoff with me in the fear that's he going to lose."
Kimbrough, however, insists the allegations against Hill are true.
"Either you wrote the checks, signed the checks and you moved the money, or you didn't. That has nothing to do with what you think about me or I think about you," Kimbrough said.
When asked what they admired about each other, both candidates made their impressions very clear.
"I can't really say that a man that would put someone in jail on false charges to win an election is someone I admire," Hill said.
"Absolutely nothing," was Kimbrough's response about what he admired about Hill.
At one point, Hill compared his possible return as sheriff to general George Washington.
"He had two failed military operations, what did he do? He came back and won the American Revolution. Where would our country be today if he didn't return? I think we can ask that question about Clayton County," Hill said.
"The people of Clayton County have an opportunity to get back to business and continue on that path or return to foolishness," replied Kimbrough. On July 31, incumbent Kimbrough took 41.41 percent of the vote to Hill's 37.54 percent.
That means the voters head back to the polls next Tuesday, Aug. 21. If Hill wins, he could still take office as long as he has not been convicted.
So far, there's not trial date set in his case.
WSBTV
