Sheriffs Campaign Finance, Pay-to-Play List
Our research, conducted in just 11 states, documents as many as 13,000 apparent conflicts of interest, primarily between 2010 and 2021. We have identified upwards of $6 million in campaign contributions that create potential conflicts of interest. Information was sourced from campaign finance reports and public information requests, along with supplemental studies and media reports. More can be found by downloading The Paid Jailer report, but use the data below to see campaign contributions in your county, sheriff, or state.
Business interests can establish a relationship with sheriffs by sending even small contributions. Construction companies provide backing to sheriffs who proceed to build new jails. Health care companies fund campaigns, and then receive multimillion-dollar contracts, with no criteria for results or the health of incarcerated people.
Because the line between legal and illegal conflicts of interest varies between jurisdictions, and because many jurisdictions conflict of interest laws are woefully inadequate, we did not attempt to determine the legality of specific contributions and contracts.
Explore the contracts we found between businesses and sheriffs in your county.