In what is something of an upset, former Assemblyman Jose Medina has narrowly defeated Sen. Richard Roth in their contest to succeed Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries. As of this writing, Medina has earned 68,070 votes to 66,279 for Roth.

The result is quite impressive considering Roth was backed by the Riverside Sheriffs Association and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. RSA in the closing weeks of the campaign went on a spending spree in support of Roth.

The reason why is obvious. While Roth danced around issues of accountability for the scandal-plagued sheriff’s department, Medina made it a central part of his campaign.

As Medina wrote in these very pages back in January: “As county supervisor, I will focus on accountability for the Sheriff’s Department. I will vote to establish an independent oversight body with subpoena power and an Office of Inspector General to enable greater transparency and accountability from the Sheriff’s Department by the community. Finally, I will take immediate steps to separate the offices of the Sheriff and Coroner.”

It was this clear and direct messaging that prompted this editorial board to endorse Medina.

As we wrote at the time, “You’ve seen the headlines. Historically high jail deaths. An ongoing state civil rights investigation. Lawsuit after lawsuit filed against the department. Deputies arrested for serious misconduct. Deputies losing large quantities of drugs. A county sheriff with delusions of grandeur more interested in a doomed run for governor than fixing his own department. If you care about law enforcement, you should care about accountability and ensuring public confidence in law enforcement.”

While Roth tried to extend his political career by getting close to RSA and turning a blind eye to the scandals of the department, Medina understood the problem and what was needed.

Now, it remains to be seen if he can convince his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to develop a spine and check the excesses and failures of the sheriff’s department.

The supervisors, to date, have been a profile in political cowardice and dereliction of duty. Let’s see if perhaps Manny Perez or even Chuck Washington join Medina and do what’s right.