Matthew McKenzie is seeking the appointment of Sheriff of Baldwin County

On Sunday night, longtime Baldwin County Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack Jr. (R) announced that he was retiring. On Monday County Commissioner Matt McKenzie announced that he is going to ask Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) to appoint him to the position when it becomes vacant.

"I have served my country as a United States Marine, I have served the citizens of Baldwin as both a law enforcement officer and as your county commissioner," McKenzie said. "I will bring years of experience to the position of Sheriff of Baldwin County, I had heard months ago that Sheriff Mack may have a great job opportunity offered to him for his next chapter in life. Since then, I have quietly been building a Senior Law Enforcement Leadership Transition Team from former and current Baldwin County Sheriff's Deputies that have held high levels of leadership roles within the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, as well as Senior Leadership from former heads of other local law enforcement agencies. I believe with the leadership we currently have in place at the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and those I intend to bring in with my transition team that the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office will not miss a beat in daily law enforcement services."

"I want to bring a fresh start to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office," said McKenzie. "I want to bring excitement and energy to the younger guys just starting out in the law enforcement journey. I want to provide additional career enhancement avenues for our veteran officers. I am excited to get to work with all the employees within the office of the sheriff, and I look forward to this application process of Governor Ivey's. I hope Governor Ivey will feel confident in my 25 years of service in law enforcement, my service in the United States Military, my experience that I bring as a Baldwin County elected official and supports my vision to lead Baldwin County in the interim until the next Sheriff election in 2026."

McKenzie presently represents County Commission District 2.

McKenzie was born in Fairhope, Alabama, and is a fourth generation Baldwin County resident. Commissioner McKenzie and his wife, Cristie, live in Barnwell, Alabama. They have two daughters.

McKenzie graduated from the Gulf Coast Academy in 1988. After enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1990, Commissioner McKenzie served five and a half years during which time he also spent time abroad as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassies in Brazilia, Brazil and Sofia, Bulgaria.

In 1995, McKenzie attended the Southwest Alabama Police Academy in Bay Minette. He served as a police officer in Eufaula, Alabama, from 1996 to 1997, In August of 1997, McKenzie was hired by the Alabama Department of Public Safety as a state trooper. McKenzie retired after 24 years.

McKenzie is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. McKenzie has a small farm in Barnwell where they have cows, goats and a horse that graze on their pecan orchard.

McKenzie is currently serving his first term on the Baldwin County Commission representing District 2.

Whomever Gov. Ivey appoints will finish out Mack's term and then face voters in 2026.