It’s been decades since Natchez has entered a political season like the one thundering on the horizon.

And it feels a bit like an old cowboy movie, just before the new gun-toting sheriff in town bursts through the saloon doors.

We just don’t know whom the swinging doors will reveal.

For the ’90s, the ’80s, the ’70s and most of the ’60s the Adams County sheriff was Mr. Ferrell.

Billy Ferrell led the county for 24 years. Then, his son Tommy took the reigns for another 16 years.

In 2003, Ronny Brown ousted the Ferrell family. Brown won again in 2007, defeating his lone opponent, Charles Woods.

But Brown’s death earlier this year changed the law enforcement political scene in Natchez, and it appears we are in for a doozy of a ride.

In the 2007 sheriff’s election there were two candidates.

In the 2003 race there were two candidates.

In 1999, there were two candidates.

And in 1996, Tommy Ferrell ran unopposed.

Five months before anyone can even qualify to run, 10 men say they’re interested in the race this year.

That number may rise or fall before the Sept. 3 qualification deadline, but it looks to be a wild one, one way or the other.

The interested future-sheriffs began coming out of the woodwork last week when Brown’s widow, Angie, pulled out of the race.

Angie Brown — currently interim sheriff — has the support of many current sheriff’s deputies, and many in law enforcement refused to run against her.

But with the gates now open, the horses are ready to burst through.

So far the would-be candidates are:

4 Danny Barber, current Natchez Police investigator.

4 Ray Brown, former Adams County sheriff’s deputy and current Adams County constable and employee of Natchez High School.

4 Cliff Cox, who recently resigned from his position as commander of the Metro Narcotics Unit.

4 Sgt. Craig Godbold, current head of Natchez Police Department Criminal Investigations Department.

4 Randy Freeman, current Adams County Sheriff’s deputy and constable.

4 Clayton Gay, local businessman.

4 Eddie Jones, former Natchez Police Chief.

4 Chuck Mayfield, former Adams County deputy and current Adams County Youth Court Administrator.

4 Roosevelt Owens, former Natchez police officer.

4 Greg Wisner, current wildlife and fisheries game warden.

These men have merely picked up the paperwork necessary to begin qualifying.

Without an incumbent or an established name, the playing field is wide open.

In 40-plus years Natchez had only three different sheriffs, two of which shared the same name. The position of sheriff simply wasn’t attainable.

It’s different now, and the candidates appear poised to take full advantage of the new opportunity.

Crowded elections usually aren’t clean ones. We can all expect some western-style mud slinging, an onslaught of campaign materials and an earful about the candidates in the coming months.

Potential candidates need to work hard to keep this race a friendly one. Voters respect the truth.

But one way or the other, January is going to mean there’s a new sheriff in town.

Julie Cooper is managing editor of The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at 601-445-3551 or julie.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.