Write-in Candidate for Sheriff Challenges Piper to Debate

The man who recently announced he is a write-in candidate for sheriff of Forsyth County has challenged his opponent, Duane Piper, to a debate.

David Townsend, known as "DT" Smith, a lieutenant colonel with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, told a crowd of about 40 on the steps of the Forsyth County Administration Building Thursday why he is pushing for a debate.

"I respect my opponent," said Smith in a news release. "We worked together on the SWAT team. I also respect the citizens of Forsyth County and that's why I am taking this opportunity to challenge him to a debate so voters will have a chance to see us both in person, ask us questions and hear about our vision for the sheriff's office."

Piper, a former lieutenant with the FCSO, narrowly defeated incumbent Sheriff Ted Paxton in the Aug. 21 primary runoff election.

Smith explained in the news release he did not enter this year's primary due to a promise he made to Paxton in 2000. That year Smith lost to Paxton in the election, but was later hired by Paxton with the promise he would not campaign against him in the future.

Fast-forward 12 years later, Smith saw an opportunity to realize his lifelong dream of becoming sheriff after Paxton lost the election.

Following the press conference, Smith said he was hopeful that the Forsyth County Tea Party (FCTP) or Forsyth County Tea Party Alliance (FCTPA) would sponsor the debate.

But in response, Hal Schneider, chair of the FCTP, wrote in an e-mail to Cumming Patch:

The Forsyth County Tea Party endorsed Duane Piper in the primary election and we will be standing by that endorsement. Our reasons for endorsing Duane have not changed since DT Smith entered the race.

At this point we do not have any plans to sponsor another debate for the sheriff’s race, however, it is a topic that will be discussed next month in our Leadership Meeting.

It is also unlikely that the FCTPA will sponsor a sheriff’s debate due to time constraints, according Bob Frey, spokesperson for the party.

Smith, a 35-year law enforcement veteran, spent 23 of those years in the trenches as a police officer, a deputy sheriff, and first line supervisor. He also spent 12 years on the command staff in an executive position with the FCSO and in 2010 was promoted to Director of Headquarters Bureau.

He and his wife Kim have been married 17 years and have five children. They are currently in the process of adopting another child. Over the past 15 years, the Smith's have been parents and foster parents to 25 children. They are also members of Mountain Lake Church.

While Smith's name will not appear on the ballot during the Nov. 6 general election, he was certified as a write-in candidate by the Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Department.

Department Supervisor Barbara Luth explained what supporters of Smith would have to do to cast their ballot for the write-in candidate.

"They will have to push the write-in button and it will bring up the keyboard for them to put in DT Smith," she said.

Voters at this point would have to type in his name and hit enter. On the paper ballots voters would write in Smith's name on "write-in line," according to Luth.

Read more about Lt. Col. DT Smith on his political website.

As of this writing Duane Piper has not responded to our call and e-mail.

Editor's Note: Cumming Patch is not affiliated with nor endorses any political party, organization or candidate running for public office.