Vernon “Betts” on Another Run”
By Kweisi Lumumba, Argus
St. Louis is entering a pivotal moment for one of its most visible law enforcement offices as preparations begin for a special election to replace ousted Sheriff Alfred Montgomery, now jailed and facing federal charges. With the office in transition, familiar names—and unresolved tensions—are re-emerging just as city leaders and voters weigh the future direction of the sheriff’s department.
Candidate filing for the special election opened on Dec. 30, ahead of the March 6 election. Among the first to signal interest is Vernon Betts, the city’s longtime former sheriff who lost the office to Montgomery in last year’s Democratic primary. Betts has confirmed his intention to apply for candidacy, setting the stage for a possible political comeback.
Betts and Montgomery share a contentious history. Montgomery previously served as a deputy under Betts but was dismissed in 2019 after announcing plans to challenge him for the sheriff’s seat. Montgomery ultimately defeated Betts in the primary, only to see his tenure collapse amid legal and ethical controversies.
Montgomery was formally removed from office last week following a ruling by Steven Ohmer, who concluded that Montgomery had exceeded his authority in multiple incidents. The court found fault with Montgomery’s decision to handcuff City Justice Center Commissioner Tammy Ross and with a separate incident in which Montgomery attempted to investigate and disarm a former sheriff’s deputy working private security at a south St. Louis gas station.
The legal action that led to Montgomery’s ouster began as a quo warranto petition filed by then–Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who has since left the office to take a federal role. The case was later taken over by current Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, who expanded the petition after Montgomery was taken into federal custody last month.
As the legal process unfolds, day-to-day leadership of the sheriff’s office has fallen to Interim Sheriff John Hayden, appointed on Oct. 29. Hayden brings decades of law enforcement experience to the role, most notably as former chief of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. His background in managing a large urban police force has been viewed by some city officials as a stabilizing factor during a period of institutional turbulence.
Hayden has indicated interest in running for the office in 2026, though his immediate focus remains on restoring order, professionalism, and public confidence within the department.
With multiple candidates signaling interest and broader questions about governance, accountability, and public trust still unresolved, the upcoming special election is shaping up to be more than a personnel change. For voters, it will be a referendum on the direction of the sheriff’s office—and on how St. Louis moves forward after one of the most turbulent chapters in its recent law enforcement history.
