Dixie County is one of the ten smallest counties in Florida.
There are 15 times the amount of people in Alachua County compared to Dixie. It's small enough for people to know or recognize each other. Incumbent Sheriff Dewey Hatcher has spent his whole life in Dixie, minus a couple stray years. His inspiration for taking office was his mother who had been tax collector for 12 years, as well as his family members who have taken office in Dixie through the years.
"My other granddaddy, my maternal grandfather, he was county commissioner here at one time. My brother in law, he was county commissioner at one time. This is over a period of years, starting back in the 1940s until now," Hatcher said.
Hatcher has been sheriff for 16 years, and he's planning on adding another 4. But unlike in past elections, his opponent this time, Christopher Cambron, rubs him the wrong way.
"I'll openly talk about Cambron, because he's just not right. He's the only opponent I've ever had that I'd say anything bad about," he said.
Cambron did not respond to an interview request, but his YouTube videos demonstrate his stance toward politics and local law enforcement. Cambron announced his run for sheriff on YouTube.
Hatcher says Cambron won't get elected. Since Dixie is a small area, Hatcher says they just avoid each other.
"If I was you, I wouldn't pay him any attention," he said. "I hate to give him any attention."
This story is part of our guide, Florida Votes 2016 , leading up to the Nov. 8 election. Check your voter registration status here .