Woods wins reelection for Marion County Sheriff
Sheriff Billy Woods
Billy Woods has been reelected as sheriff after defeating Republican opponent Milton Busby in the 2024 primary election.
Woods received 44,763 votes, while Busby received 14,620.
Woods was first elected in 2016, then reelected in 2020. He ran unopposed in the 2020 election. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and business management from Columbia Southern University.
Woods raised over $171,000 in campaign contributions, $6,662 of which were in-kind. He spent over $145,000 throughout the course of his campaign.
Woods could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Busby was an officer in the Florida Highway Patrol for 32 years and spent 32 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He earned a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from Nova Southeastern University in 2016. Busby is a Marion County native and graduated from Vanguard High School.
“Thank you to all my family, close friends and classmates. I made one promise, to give our community an alternative. We met our mission. The community has decided. Congratulations to Woods’ victory. Thank you,” Busby told the “Gazette.”
As of Fiscal Year 2022-23, the Marion County Sheriff makes an annual salary of $204,618, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff serves a term of four years.