Elect Michael J. Fowlkes II for Sheriff

12/20/2023

The recount was completed on December 19, 2023.

The results are as follows:
Arthur Townsend, Jr., 1844 Votes
Michael J. Fowlkes, II, 1811 Votes

I would like to first thank my Lord and Savior for allowing me the opportunity to run for sheriff in Lunenburg County. To my wife and family, thank you so much for your support and sacrifice. I also would like to thank my committee for their hard work, dedication, and commitment.

To my supporters: Thank you for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to try to bring change to Lunenburg County. I appreciate all of your calls, texts, and emails. I want to give a special thank you to everyone who made contributions to help fund my campaign.

There is a lot of change that needs to happen in our county. The focus should always be on the citizens of this great county at all times. I am here to make a difference and will continue to help our community in every way that I can. Although I was not elected this term for sheriff, I will be running again for the next term.

The importance of running a clean campaign shows the true character of a candidate and respect for others. Although false allegations were displayed and slander occurred, the citizens of our great county stuck by me to the end.

As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, our aims are “Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind”. In the year 2024, I will start a mentoring program for young men in Lunenburg County. I believe this program will help guide our young men in the direction of success.

Thank you,

Michael J. Fowlkes II

12/02/2023

“There’s a lot to be said about the murders in Lunenburg, Virginia. Crime Insider Reopen the Case: Center Street On CBS 6, December 18th at 10pm.

11/24/2023

I submitted my petition to the circuit court for a recount to be held for the Sheriff Election. This Election has brought a lot of concerns to the citizens of Lunenburg County. I want to encourage all of my supporters to stay positive through this process. I want to thank all of my supporters for your support and prayers.

Authorized by Michael J. Fowlkes II for Sheriff Campaign

11/07/2023

Meherrin Transportation LLC will now be offering rides to the polls. If you need transportation please call 434-736-8528.

11/07/2023

What can I say it is truly a special day. My oldest daughter has turned 11 years old today. Serenity I want to wish you a happy birthday. Daddy love you!

11/06/2023

First I want to give honor to God for all that he continues to do in my life. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve my church at Springfield Baptist Church. I am now a newly appointed Trustee. God is good.

11/04/2023

I have said from the time I announced my candidacy that I would run a clean campaign but there is something that should be addressed. This election year has been filled with lies and false allegations by elected officials and members of the current administration. This is my time to address the falsehood.

The current Sheriff started with contacting my place of employment (Prince Edward County Sheriff Office) within 48 hours of me picking up candidate paperwork for this election ; advising of possible charges being brought against me for running against him. He has lied to the residents of the county about my residency and given strangers the address to the home of where my wife and children reside which caused many instances of lurkers going to the residence, pulling in the driveway, tampering with cameras, and overall trespassing. These behaviors caused my wife and children to fear for their life. I want to personally
thank Prince Edward Sheriff’s Office for watching over my family by responding to calls for service during the times they felt unsafe during this election.

Another smear tactic used was to generate an investigation about my Lunenburg County residency that span for months and involved a prosecutor from another county. While murders and other crimes were going unsolved in our county due to the lack of attention to investigations, the current administration called for an investigation of my residency and a special prosecutor to lead the investigation. This was a waste of taxpayers money as I declared my Virginia and Lunenburg residency on official documents that was reviewed and approved by the Board of Elections to allow me to seek candidacy for this election. I showed proof and met the criteria established and continue to. This is a smear tactic that is used during elections by those with the ability to request such an investigation. It is an abuse of authority, a waste of taxpayers money, resources, and investigative time. Time that could have been invested in investigating murders, suspicious deaths, theft,etc in our county. Further, an official court order for the investigation was leaked to the newspaper by the current administration not because of truths but as a personal attack that displayed serious false allegations which I was not advised of prior to the leakage to the newspaper.

On November 3, 2023, I underwent an interview with the State Police and have spoken with the the Special Prosecutor from Mecklenburg County. Per the State Police and Special Prosecutor, the State Police Case # 29-20361 is unfounded and the investigation has been closed. The content of the investigation will be released to my attorney and the identification of the person(s) along with the names of those who helped with this scheme.

I want to thank all my supporters for their prayers and continuous support.

Hear this and hear me now, I am a resident of Lunenburg County, born and raised here, proudly moved back home to serve, and once elected,

“A change is Coming”

Authorized by Michael J. Fowlkes II for Sheriff Campaign

11/03/2023

My family and I truly enjoyed ourselves at the Launch Into Learning Under the Stars" park event in Victoria.

Elect Michael J. Fowlkes II For Sheriff

11/01/2023

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It's okay to change your mind! If you haven’t opened your absentee ballot, just bring it to your polling location on November 7th. You can trade in for an Election Day ballot. To confirm your polling location, visit Vote.Virginia.gov.

11/01/2023

Lunenburg County,

I am seeking your vote for Sheriff in the General Election on November 7th, 2023. The county is experiencing a higher rate of crime, and my main focus is public safety. During my campaign, I have expressed the importance of implementing a 24-hour coverage as one of my goals. This idea was developed based on research, the concerns of residents, and to aid our local First Responders. Currently, the 8-hour lack of law enforcement coverage between 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m. can cause slow response times to crime which includes life threatening calls for service. Some of our resident's lives are in the hands of our deputies who may be responding from home. I believe that every second of life matters and having a working schedule to cover those hours in person is of great importance.

We must invoke change from a reactive to a proactive need-based mindset. The mindset "that it will never happen here" should be directed toward the focus of "what will we do IF it happens here." We must be prepared for possible threats and crimes to the best of our ability. Deputies must have the ability to be trained properly to include participation in joint active shooter training to prepare for the possibility of threats in all four of our schools.

If elected, I plan to be an active sheriff, meaning, a sheriff who is visible within the community and whose focus is to invoke improved safety measures. I plan to:

increase morale in the department to encourage deputies to stay; work towards obtaining full staffing which wil allow the creation of a 24-hour working schedule for the agency; strengthen investigations by sending a deputy to learn techniques that they can use to effectively solve crimes; coordinate with the Board of Supervisors to bring back the Neighborhood Watch Program; implement the Security Check Program for citizens and Business Check Program for local businesses; Wellness Checks for resident senior citizens; and to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our fire/rescue departments to create better collaborative working relationships.

I seek your vote on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

"A Change is Coming."

Authorized By: Michael J. Fowlkes II for Sheriff Campaign

Candidate in the General Election, November 7, 2023 for Sheriff of Lunenburg County, Virginia.