ST. LOUIS — Sheriff Vernon Betts, who narrowly lost re-election earlier this month, is now calling for a recount.
Betts filed the necessary paperwork in circuit court Friday after the elections board officially certified the results in favor of challenger Alfred Montgomery, a former sheriff’s deputy.
State law provides for recounts in local races when the margin of victory is less than 1%. Official results currently show Montgomery with 50.28% of the vote in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary to Betts’ 49.72%.
Montgomery’s victory followed months of sharply worded barbs between the two. The two blasted each other as either corrupt or unqualified.
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At one point, they fought over a bill in the state Legislature supported by Betts that could have disqualified Montgomery from running because he was not a state-licensed peace officer.
Montgomery complained, noting that Betts wasn’t licensed when he first was elected sheriff in 2016, and the bill ended up dying in the House.
Since his victory, Montgomery has touted plans to improve deputies’ training and embark on an ambitious takeover of the troubled city jail, which is now run by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones’ administration through the city corrections division.
He has also declined to provide proof of his academic degree. Montgomery has claimed a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Arizona State University. But the ASU registrar’s office couldn’t find any record of his attendance.
Four years ago, Betts easily defeated Montgomery, 61% to 28%.
Montgomery is set to face a Libertarian, Joy Denise Dabney, in the general election Nov. 5.