Major Jason Ashworth officially filed for Vanderburgh County Sheriff, making him the first candidate to file for election in 2022.
Ashworth is a 28-year veteran of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, beginning as a corrections officer and currently serving as Major and Commander of Operations.
After filing, Sheriff Ashworth became one of the first candidates for Sheriff in the state of Indiana to announce he would install an office policy ceasing all arrests for simple possession of marijuana.
Ashworth said, “Beginning day one, my office will no longer make arrests for simple marijuana possession. These arrests disproportionately impact people of color, and as your Sheriff this is only the first step in ensuring a more just and fair community.”
Ashworth said he would work with community partners to crack down on the trafficking of opioids and illegal guns, which he called the “two biggest threats to Vanderburgh County today”. He also promised to “provide mental health support to those in need instead of locking them in jail without the appropriate resources.”
Major Ashworth announced a new third-party, independent review process for all jail deaths.
Ashworth told the crowd, “I believe if someone dies in our jail, the family of the deceased along with the public deserve a transparent and honest accounting of what happened by a third party. So, today, I am announcing a third-party, independent review of any inmate death at the Vanderburgh County Jail under my administration.”
In his bid for Sheriff, Major Ashworth is supported by former Sheriffs Brad Ellsworth and Eric Williams. Other local democrats supporting Jason Ashworth for Sheriff are State Representative Ryan Hatfield, Coroner Steve Lockyear, County Commissioners Ben Shoulders and Jeff Hatfield, as well as City Councilman Zac Heronemus.
Major Ashworth has been married to his wife Kendyl, an EVSC teacher, for 27 years. They have two children.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 3, 2022.