Unchallenged in Nov., Alyshia Dyer Makes History: Becomes County’s First Female Sheriff-Elect

by P.D. Lesko

Derrick Jackson, the Sheriff’s hand-picked successor, lost the August 6, 2024 primary election to former Sheriff’s Deputy Alyshia Dyer in a close race that may require a recount. Dyer captured 43.53 percent of the vote (26,806 votes) and Jackson captured 42.91 percent of the vote (26,422 votes). Ken Magee, who ran twice before, snagged 13.49 percent of the vote (8,306 votes), which contributed to the squeaker between Dyer and Jackson.

Dyer’s win is remarkable for a number of reasons. The Sheriff, through his PAC, contributed over $8,000 to Jackson’s campaign. Jackson’s endorsements included Sheriff Jerry Clayton, eight of the nine County Commissioners, County Prosecutor Eli Savit, the County Chief Asst. Prosecutor Victoria Burton-Harris, County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum, State Senators Jeff Irwin and Sue Shink, State Reps. Jason Morgan, and Felicia Brabec, Ann Arbor Mayor Chris Taylor and seven of Ann Arbor’s 10 City Council members.

Dyer weathered blistering attacks from Jackson, as well as his supporters. In one case, a Jackson supporter leaked court documents to the media that showed Dyer had been sued by her credit card company. She said during her campaign sexism was also pervasive and rampant.

Campaign finance statements due July 29 contribute to the story of Dyer’s remarkable win.

Derrick Jackson’s July 2024 campaign finance statement revealed he had raised $267,565. Dyer had raised $186,144.73. By all measures, Jackson should have had an easy, well-financed path to the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff is paid $165,000 per year.

However, Jackson involved himself in several imbroglios that resulted in extensive negative media coverage.

For starters, on the campaign trial and for a decade previous, Jackson referred to himself as a Social Worker. Only licensed individuals who hold the MSW degree, who have completed the required 4,000 hours of supervised training and who have passed the state exam for social workers may use the title Social Worker. Jackson’s misuse of the title prompted a licensed social worker to file a complaint against Jackson with the Michigan Attorney General, the County Prosecutor and State licensing officials.

Dyer repeatedly complained that Derrick Jackson campaigned for office while at work. As a result, an Ypsilanti woman filed a campaign finance complaint against Jackson.

Jackson raked $13,000 in donations from both Ann Ann Arbor City Council member Linh Song and her husband Dug Song. Rachel Bendit, wife of U-M Regent Mark Bernstein, donated $8,300. He also received a $20,000 donation from the Deldin Law PAC controlled by a law firm in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.

Jackson, who was endorsed by former Ann Arbor State Rep. Adam Zemke, also paid Zemke’s consulting company 1837 Partners upwards of $40,000 to advise his campaign. Jackson’s campaign finance disclosures showed he spent $11,000 on radio and streaming ads, he spent thousands of dollars on texting services and loaned his campaign $6,653.

After Dyer’s complaints that he was campaigning during regular work hours and campaigning in uniform, in June Jackson announced in an email to his team at the Sheriff’s Office that he would be curtailing his time in the office until after Aug. 6 (the day of the primary election). Records showed that Jackson was not on leave and did not use vacation time. The Sheriff allowed Jackson to collect his full salary while campaigning, a violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.

Jackson remains the Sheriff’s Dir. of Community Engagement. It unclear whether Dyer will replace him when she takes office.

Since 2016, Sheriff Clayton has used county resources and Sheriff’s Dept. employees to work for his private consulting firm The Cardinal Group II. Dyer, on the campaign trail when asked if she would, like Clayton divide her attentions, has said she will devote herself full-time to the job. Whether Clayton will be permitted to continue to use county resources and Sheriff’s Dept. employees for The Cardinal Group II remains to be seen.