Watch CBS News

Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones Reflects On Congressional Loss To Rep. Ami Bera

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — "It was a fascinating process," said Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones, " I don't regret doing it. It's something I felt I had to do."

Jones seemed comfortable with his coffee mug in hand walking through the halls of the sheriff's department on Thursday morning.

He says he has no regrets in running for congress, but after his defeat last month, hes back in a role he has held for 6 years.

"It'll get back to normal pretty quickly," said Jones.

Jones lost to Ami Bera by less than 2% in the race for California's 7th Congressional District.

"Being such a high profile one, one of the top ones in the country, elevated it to a level that I wasn't used to," said Jones.

The contest was filled with mudslinging, from sexual harassment claims to allegations of campaign finance fraud.

"It was a lot different dynamic running for a high profile partisan office like congress," Jones explained.

Jones says he's no stranger to a large election having run for Sheriff in the past, but that the congressional seat required a different campaign. Commercials, he said, played a much bigger role than he anticipated. Also, being followed by reporters and video cameras on a regular basis had it's challenges.

"The scrutiny, not just with me, but with the entire family was a little bit unexpected," said Jones.

Settling back into his comfort zone, Jones says he can now put his full attention on the Sheriff's department moving forward. including full implementation of intelligence led policing and facility improvements to the Elk Grove jail.

"It's not like we put the department on hold, said Jones, " we've been moving full speed."

As for making another congressional run?

"Oh god no," said Jones, "I'm not sure if I have another one in me."

Jones says he hasn't made a decision on whether he'll seek another term as Sheriff when his position comes up for reelection in 2018.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.