It’s finally here! I am days away from turning my mind’s focus back to its usual routine of skin, skin and skin!!!! As you all know the primary election is Tuesday, May 22nd. My husband and I feel nervous, excited and tired. Jarrard running for Sheriff has been an experience that has been great for our family. Although I complain about it frequently, I honestly believe it has been a wonderful experience. With a 3 year old, five year old, full time job and a husband running for Sheriff I have had events most nights of the week. I think I am averaging a baby sitter 4 nights per week the past few months. But I believe God puts us through trials to teach us something about ourselves, others and Him(Thank you Pastor Will Harmon for speaking those words into my heart a few weeks ago at Church, shout out to Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist, join the Copeland’s any time!). That is exactly what has happened. I have learned that Jarrard has more good in him than I even knew possible as his wife. I have learned that I strive on new experiences. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things and no matter how much time it consumes, I enjoy that. I have learned that when you want to curse someone and pray for their demise God gives you peace and patience when you least expect it and shows you how you should be praying. So win or lose on Tuesday, I’m thankful Jarrard put himself out there and got our family into politics. With that being said, boy I hope we win {insert laughing emoji}. This blog post will not teach you about skin. It will, however, teach you why I am voting for my husband for Sheriff and why you should too.
- He is a family man. He retired sooner than he wanted to after 25 years at the Fort Smith Police Department because I asked him to retire. He had already spent years on the night shift losing time with his sons. After 25 years of service working nights, weekends, holidays and being on call I thought he earned time to help me raise our little girls. He did, reluctantly, he retired. Any man that puts his family before his career is a man you want leading a department. You can sleep at night knowing he understands the importance of family to those officers. Because no man can go out at night and put his life on the line successfully and at his best without a supportive family behind him.
- He is the only name you knew before the campaign started. That’s not a brag. It’s the way Jarrard has policed for 25 years. He has been helping the community. He has made his presence known and let Fort Smith citizens know he is a cop who was there to help. He has never put his ego or authority before his duty to serve the citizens. He made me jump into a freezing cold pool for the polar bear plunge to raise money for Special Olympics when we were dating 12 years ago. He has always been a servant to Fort Smith, that’s what the county needs, proven dedication.
- He is a natural born leader. He has leadership skills you can’t teach. He leads by example. Being married to him I understand what officers say when they tell me he motivates them to be good. He is the kind of person you want to follow. I wish I had a penny for every time someone said “oh you’re married to the chief of police”. No, not the chief, just a leader without the title.
- I am his wife. I often joke, “why didn’t we make shirts that said to vote for Nina Copeland’s husband”. Honestly, we are married, we are a team. If you like me, you will love him. If you vote for him, you are voting for me. Plus, I will make sure the Sebastian County Sheriffs Office is sunsmart and Skintastic! Duh
- He has the experience and a new vision. Have you ever worked a puzzle for hours and get stuck? Your spouse walks by, takes one glance, grabs a puzzle piece and snaps it right into place. It’s not because they are smarter than you. It’s because they got a fresh look at things. The SCSO has not had someone from outside the agency voted as Sheriff in more than 50 years. He has law enforcement experience that gives him tools to understand the department plus that new vision which might just be the refreshment the SCSO needs right now.
- He listens. We have had countless citizens and employees of the SCSO in our home telling us what they would like to see happen if Jarrard is elected. If he has spent hours listening before he is even elected that proves the open door policy he will continue for his employees and citizens of Sebastian County.
- He has the experience. He has more experience than any other candidate in working homicides, theft, kidnapping and every other crime for which the FBI keeps statistics. You already know how well he does as public information officer after years of watching him on the local news. He has supervised multiple departments at the FSPD so successfully that his former employees and co-workers with the Fraternal Order of Police have endorsed him.
- He is good looking and charming. I mean he has to be the best looking candidate. Why wouldn’t you vote for him for his good looks?
- He is sunsmart! Have you seen how dedicated he is to the wide brim hat to protect his face, neck and ears from the sun. If you were one of the thousands he met going door to door I bet you saw it!
- He has not said one bad thing about another candidate and made sure the committee to elect Jarrard Copeland for Sheriff hasn’t either. He has made sure people are voting for him and not against his opponents because that’s the only way he wants to win.
Get out and vote! It’s important and an easy way for your voice to be heard in how our community is run. This year you can vote at any poll, the one close to your house, work or wherever! If you see me standing out with a sign stop and say hello. Or just run in, ask for the Republican ballot and vote Jarrard Copeland for Sheriff!
Stay skintastic, Nina