Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon will not seek a third term, saying the weight of the job and its toll on his family have led them to choose a different path after nearly eight years in office.

Moon announced the decision Monday evening in a Facebook video with his wife by his side, speaking first about the two roles that have shaped much of his adult life.

“This has been my title for the last eight years,” Moon said of serving as sheriff. “A title that I’ve been honored to serve under and a title that also has held great weight.”

But Moon said he wanted to speak not as sheriff, but as “Mark Moon, husband and father,” roles he has held for 26 years and called his “most important and meaningful title.”

Moon said the pressures surrounding the sheriff’s office have increasingly affected his family over the past several years.

“The last few years, the role of sheriff has burdened our family in more ways than one,” he said. “And that burden, that load, has become increasingly difficult to bear.”

Moon said his family has been subjected to what he called “the most outrageous lies” and said their character and integrity have been questioned because of what he described as falsehoods and misunderstandings.

He acknowledged that scrutiny comes with serving as sheriff but said what his family has experienced went beyond that.

“It has negatively affected our mental and our physical health,” Moon said.

Moon also addressed why he and his family have largely remained silent in the face of criticism, saying their silence should not be interpreted as guilt or shame.

“It has been for the preservation of a small amount of peace to remain within our walls,” he said. “And that peace is not something that we’re willing to let go of. Our family and our well-being are worth fighting for.”

Moon then announced that he would not seek another term as sheriff and said his name would be removed from the Republican ballot. He stressed that the decision was voluntary.

“I’m not being forced to do this. No one has made me do this,” Moon said. “This is my choice. In fact, this is my family’s choice.”

Moon was first elected Blount County sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He had been running unopposed for a third term.

While Moon’s public announcement focused on his decision not to seek reelection, it did not mention leaving the sheriff’s office before his current term expires. That part of his plans emerged through emails he sent to members of the Blount County Commission.

The emails, obtained by WBRC through a public records request, show Moon told commissioners he was actively seeking other employment and planned to resign once he secured another means of supporting his family.

“I am actively seeking employment elsewhere,” Moon wrote. “As soon as I secure a means to provide for my family I will submit a resignation letter to the governor and ask for Chief Brian Whitt to finish out my current term. I didn’t mean to omit that I will be leaving office as soon as possible. I hope this helps with questions you may have.”

Moon has not submitted a resignation, and the email does not provide a date for when he expects to leave office.

The timing initially created some confusion. When WBRC’s Mike Dubberly asked Moon Monday evening whether reports that he was resigning were accurate, Moon responded, “not resigning, just not running for reelection.”

Moon provided more context Wednesday during an interview with the station, saying that after nearly eight years as sheriff, he believes it is time to move on. He described this year as the most difficult of his career and discussed the stress of the position and its effect on his family.

He also said criticism surrounding a decision he made the previous week became the “straw that broke the back.” Moon did not identify the incident or decision during the interview.

Moon’s decision also set in motion the process of choosing another Republican candidate for sheriff.

Blount County Republican Party Chairman Larry Armstrong said Moon called him Monday morning and asked to have his name removed from the November ballot. Because Moon had been running unopposed, the county Republican Party began the process of selecting a replacement candidate.

Those interested in being considered have until 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, to submit a resume by hand to Armstrong or the Blount County GOP secretary.

The party is scheduled to meet Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Blount County Courthouse to review resumes and qualifications, conduct interviews and select the person who will replace Moon on the November ballot.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].