Candidates
Kandy Fatheree
Summit County Sheriff
Northeast Ohio, Countywide
Kandy Fatheree has worked for the Summit County Sheriff’s office for over 20 years. Rising through the ranks, Kandy overcame many obstacles to be promoted to a Captain. As a Captain, Kandy manages the $44 million-dollar Sheriff’s Office Budget. Once elected, Kandy will focus on recruiting women and minorities to the Sheriff’s office and will improve care, custody and control of the inmate population by collaborating with community organizations.
In 2021, Kandy Fatheree will serve as the Summit County Sheriff.
WebsiteMeet the Candidate
Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate?
I had never thought that I could aspire to dream of running for Sheriff until I attended the FBI National Academy in 2008. I realized that I was every bit as smart and strong as the men that held positions of Leadership such as Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs. I began taking classes to enhance my knowledge in anticipation of becoming Sheriff. When I would talk about my ambition many people thought that I was not serious until I announced publicly that I was running and began putting my team together and attending events. The reaction from most people has been very positive and the journey has been enjoyable so far.
Tell our members about a friend or family member who inspired you to become a leader.
I come from a family of strong women, my grandmother was in the army during World War II and was a fierce advocate of women’s rights. My mother is the oldest of seven sisters and has been a strong influence in my life and the lives of so many others. She advocates leadership and service to the community as a result I have strived to be a strong leader.
How has your career and life experiences shaped who you are as a person and a leader?
I have experienced many adversities in my life, sexual assault, domestic violence, and discrimination however, I have never let them define me. I believe that every adversity has a seed of equivalent or greater benefit, and I live by that belief. All the things that I have experienced have made me a strong, compassionate and understanding person and leader.
The Matriots PAC has a goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028?
I envision women leaders in every area. I expect women to hold more than 50% of the elected positions and I believe they will make our communities better places to live.
Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community or our state face today?
Our community has experienced an opioid epidemic and mental health crisis. Families have been torn apart by the mental health and addiction of those they love. It has a far-reaching affect on not only homelessness, increased crime resulting in incarceration, but children being neglected and placed in foster care or with grandparents.
Tell us something personal about yourself. It can be a hobby, your favorite food or something we might not know about you that you would like to share with our members.
I have competed in the Police and Fire Games for Track and Field at the local, international and world events. I hold a 2005 world police and fire games 100-meter bronze metal and 200-meter silver metal. In the 2011 world police and fire games a 200-meter bronze metal and in the 2004 international police games I have gold metal’s in the 60 meter, 100-meter and 200-meter track events. I also competed in the Ohio Police and Fire Track and Field events earning gold metals for 7 years in my age groups.