Meet the Erath County Sheriff candidates: Matt Coates

Sarah Hayner– Associate Producer

Erath County Sheriff Matt Coates is in the race to get re-elected at the 2020 Republican Party Primary. Coates was made interim Sheriff back in December 2016, when the late sheriff Tommy Bryant took his own life.  

“Our campaign will focus on all the good things that the entire ECSO staff has worked hard to accomplish under my administration,” Coates said in an e-mail to Texan News Service.  

Coates main idea of his campaign is that he is going to “run on his record” to get re-elected as sheriff.  

“My record is one of progress, professionalism and fiscal responsibility. We will run on what the voters are most concerned with when they consider hiring their county sheriff,” Coates said.  

He has years of experience in law enforcement, as he worked in Big Spring, Texas since 1997 upon relocating to Stephenville.  

“I have over two decades of experience and have served in all positions in the structure of a Sheriff’s office,” Coates said.  

Coates hopes, after re-election, that he can continue doing what he’s been doing as sheriff. 

“My goals after re-election is to keep doing what we are doing. Making the ECSO better than it was the day before,” Coates said. “We will continue to train our people to be better and we will keep being present within the community, so we receive the trust from the citizens that they deserve in the sheriff’s office. We will continue to be above reproach.” 

Coates campaign is open to anyone that has questions. He claims his campaign and administration are an “open book.” Residents can find more information on Coates and his campaign at www.ErathLawman.com.