Maurice Langston and Charlie Creel were in the spotlight at the Wakulla Community Center Thursday night. If their opening comments were any indication, there is not much love lost between the two opponents.

"The other candidate is a good man. I'd call him to go to church with him. I'd call him to go fishing with him. But I wouldn't call him to fight for your safety with me," said Langston.

"Our crime rate, and this is what I'll go over today, Index crimes are up 9.9%, total overall crimes up 15.4% under my opponents watch," said Creel.

The campaign has seen it's share of controversy. Langston's eligibility for office was brought into question earlier this year but he has since been cleared to run for sheriff. Both candidates stayed away from the controversy and focused on the issues by answering questions posed by the audience.

"I think we need to tackle the drug problem a lot harder than we are and we need to stop people from having their goods stolen," said Creel to the packed house.

"In 2011 to 2012 the Wakulla County sheriff's office had 86 investigations that were initiated by the narcotics division and they actually resulted in 143 felony narcotics related charges," replied Langston.

Voters will now decide who they think the right man to lead the WCSO is on November 6th.

Wakulla, FL - With just 12 days until the November 6th general election, the candidates for Wakulla County Sheriff are participating in a forum tonight for one last final push to sway voters.

The forum starts in just about a half hour. Maurice Langston and Charlie Creel will field questions from co-moderators from both the Wakulla Republican and Democratic Executive committee's.

The sheriff's race has featured some controversy and we'll have to see if that is brought up tonight. This is actually the third and final installment of bi-partisan political forums that were being held featuring all the candidates running for office in Wakulla County.

The forum starts at 6:30 with the property appraiser candidates up first, followed by Langston and Creel at 7:45.

The forum is scheduled to go until 9 p.m. at the community center in Crawfordville.

Wakulla DEC & REC Release

Wakulla County, FL - The Wakulla Republican Executive Committee and the Wakulla Democratic Executive Committee jointly announced the schedule for the planned bi-partisan political forums.

DEC Chair Rachel Pienta said, "We've had a good response - all the candidates have agreed to participate."

REC Chair Jonathan Kilpatrick, "The forums will feature all the declared candidates in each race, regardless of party affiliation or NPA designation and all the candidates' supporters are invited to attend the forums. We're looking forward to three evenings of invigorating but civil discourse on the issues that impact our county."

The co-moderated forums will be held at the Wakulla County Community Center located at 318 Shadeville Hwy in Crawfordville, FL. Doors will open at 6 pm and the forums will begin at 6:30 pm.

On October 25th, the Property Appraiser candidates will speak first; followed by the Sheriff candidates at 7:45 pm.

The forums are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

For additional information on debate format, please visit the party websites at the following addresses: and .