Richard Mecum remembers clearly Ted Oglesby’s words to him in 1979 when he decided to run for Hall County sheriff. “He said, ‘If you’re going to run as a Republican, you’re not going to have any chance at all,’” said Mecum, who would go on to win the race and become the first Republican ever elected to countywide office in Hall. Mecum, who left office Dec. 31 as the Hall County Board of Commissioners chairman, couldn’t help but laugh at the memory, one of many in a 40-year friendship.