As of Friday's vote count, Bickel had 67,164 votes to Jenkins' 45,939, a 59% to 41% margin. The result was a stunning reversal for Bickel, who had lost to Jenkins three times before — by 20,085 votes in 2014, 4,137 in 2018, and 2,950 votes in 2022, a 2.8% margin. Throughout this year's campaign, Jenkins also out-raised Bickel.

Jenkins said he was not entirely surprised by Democratic victories across the county but was taken aback by the scale of the margins.

"Democrats came out because they were angry. Democrats came out in larger numbers," Jenkins said in a Friday interview. "I don't think it was particularly me as much as it was the Republicans in general."

The sheriff's race was just one of several Democratic wins in Frederick County. Except for Del. Jesse Pippy, the House minority leader, and State's Attorney Charlie Smith, who ran unopposed, the only Republicans to win in Frederick were those whose districts also included parts of neighboring counties.

Jenkins' reputation was closely tied to his stance on immigration enforcement and his defense of 287(g) programs, which allow local police to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The county's demographics have shifted significantly: according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Frederick County was 11.8% Latino in 2020, and by 2025, 15.6% of the population was foreign-born, with 43.4% of that group not U.S. citizens.

Ninfa Amador-Hernandez, policy manager for We Are CASA Maryland, said voters, especially immigrants, were "tired of living under that pressure" of Jenkins' support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Sheriff Jenkins ran that department with terror and fear," she said Tuesday. "He did not build trust with working class Black, Latine immigrant communities."

Christianne Marguerite, a spokesperson for Progressive Maryland, said Frederick County voters are becoming more perceptive of ICE's "violence." The nonprofit advocacy organization, which promotes racial and social justice, first endorsed Bickel in his third run for sheriff in 2022 and has been doing grassroots organizing for his campaign since.

"Frederick County became almost a symbol of the kind of local collaboration with ICE that immigrant communities have been fighting against for years under Jenkins, and I think that people started to see that," Marguerite said. "This victory really represents an opportunity for big changes in how the Frederick County sheriff's office approaches working with the community."

Under Jenkins, the Frederick County Sheriff's Department had partnered with ICE since 2008. When the General Assembly this year succeeded in banning 287(g) agreements, Jenkins became one of the main voices in opposition.

Jenkins rejected the characterization that he is a "MAGA conservative," saying he has held the same ideals since before President Donald Trump's campaign made MAGA a movement. He said he will always stand by his belief that the county's partnership with ICE was an effective way of improving safety, and he does not regret expressing that view, even if it cost him reelection.

"I am who I am in this county, and people know that," said Jenkins, a county native.

Jenkins also faced a federal indictment in 2023, along with 2026 GOP lieutenant governor nominee Rob Krop, on five counts of conspiracy and making false statements to acquire machine guns on behalf of a county shooting range, The Machine Gun Nest. Krop was acquitted on all charges in October 2024, and federal prosecutors dropped all charges against Jenkins a few weeks later.

With the effort he put into campaigning and speaking with county residents, Jenkins said he was disappointed in the result and concerned about his successor. Asked whether he thought the county would be less safe under Bickel, Jenkins responded: "Two words: Hell yes."

"The election was just a week ago, I don't know what the future is going to be for me. I'm still a county resident now, I still care," Jenkins said. "As much as [Bickel] criticized me over the past how many years, you can bet your ass I'll be on the sideline criticizing him."

Bickel was not available for comment after repeated requests over the course of the week.

Amador-Hernandez said the outcome is a local example of Democrats' winning streak across the nation this fall, but she also credited advocacy efforts sparked by Jenkins' immigration stance. We Are CASA does not endorse candidates, but Amador-Hernandez said the group continues to oppose any police department's partnership with ICE.

"This particular race just shows that voters are ready for a politic of love, a politic of community, and leaders that build trust, particularly when it comes to public safety," she said.

Marguerite said the win does not end the work. Progressive Maryland and Bickel's supporters will continue holding him to his promises to combat ICE collaborations and operations in the county.

"Beyond Frederick County, this also makes a statement for our state and how people want to see leadership that aligns with their community values," Marguerite said. "Hopefully, Bickel holds to that with the outcomes of his work in the sheriff's office, and we'll set a good example for transparency and community-focused solutions."