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Chris Holder named by Republican caucus to serve as Shelby County Sheriff

Friday, March 6, 2026 at 9:15 AM

By Johnny McCrory

Three candidates addressed precinct voting representatives in front of a crowded Shelby County Republican Headquarters on Thursday evening.

The caucus was called to name a Shelby County Sheriff to fill the remaining calendar year of the final term for Sheriff Louie Koch, who announced his retirement at the end of last month.

 

 

Current Chief Deputy Chris Holder, Sergeant and longtime deputy Justin Parker and former Shelbyville Police Chief Bill Elliott were introduced to the audience by their chosen representatives and then given three minutes to convince the voters why they should fill the vacancy. 

Holder and Parker are both on the ballot for the Republican primary.

In the end, the 31 voters chose Holder with 19 votes, while Parker recorded 12.  Elliott did not receive a vote in the caucus.

Holder talks about the caucus now in the midst of the election countdown to the primary.

Holder doesn't anticipate any major concerns in the transition.

As for serving as sheriff while also running for the position Holder said he hadn't thought of it as a head start to the campaign itself.