Jefferson County re-elected a gentleman as Sheriff

On November 2nd voters in Jefferson County, Ill. re-elected a gentleman as Sheriff. The incumbent, Roger Mulch (Dem.), received 7,311 votes (59%). Republican challenger Eric Breeze received 4,593 votes (37%), and Independent challenger Rick Taaka received 489 votes (4%).

Why do I call Sheriff Mulch a gentleman?

Look at what he said to reporter Tesa Culli of the Mt. Vernon Register-News: “I’m thankful to the citizens of Jefferson County for casting their ballots and exercising their rights to vote,” Mulch said. “I wish the best of luck to both my opponents, and I’m looking forward to serving the citizens of Jefferson County as their sheriff for the next four years.”

Why is Sheriff Mulch's name known now in northern Illinois? Jefferson County includes Mount Vernon, where it is suspected that Beth Bentley disappeared on May 22-23 of this year. Suspicion centers on a home there owned by the Ridge family, where it is believed Beth was a visitor with her traveling companion of the week-end, Jennifer Wyatt.

Sheriff Mulch's jurisdiction includes Rend Lake, where one story about the week-end indicates two women (Beth and Jenn) and four men may have used a boat rented at a lake marina. No civilian has yet been able to confirm that boat rental, and it is unknown whether a law enforcement agency had any luck in doing so or identifying the four men.