Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Sheriff Robert "Robby" Holland was first elected as Macon County Sheriff in 2002 and is currently seeking his third term. He is 43 years old and is married to Marci Bateman Holland, his wife of 17 years. They are residents of the Cullasaja community and members of Pine Grove Baptist Church.

Robby has 19 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career in 1991 and worked his way up through the ranks of the Sheriff's Office, serving as Detention Officer, Animal Control Officer, Juvenile Investigator, Deputy, and Detective Sergeant and Supervisor of the Juvenile Investigations Unit.

Robby has always been dedicated to making a positive difference in our county. He is service-minded and community-oriented and has never lost sight of his role as a public servant. Throughout his career, Robby has made it a priority to make himself available to the public and he holds himself accountable to the citizens he serves.

As Sheriff, Robby has implemented a dual approach to fighting crime in our county - building partnerships within the community and aggressive law enforcement. He has placed major emphasis on fighting drugs in Macon County by replacing the Multi Agency Drug Task Force approach and organizing a Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit still working with other agencies. Since forming the Sheriff's Drug Unit in 2003, drug arrests in Macon County and active prison sentences have substantially increased. He has placed greater emphasis on enforcing traffic laws in an effort to keep families safer when traveling our roadways. As a result, drunk driving arrests have increased by more than 130% and vehicle-related fatalities have been reduced.

Robby has implemented and initiated numerous prevention and community awareness programs since being elected Sheriff. A few of these are the Governor's Highway Safety Program, Reality Check 101 for Students, Crime Stoppers, Operation Think Twice, Project Life Saver, Shop with a Cop, Community Watch, Operation Pill Crusher, and many more.