So why did Price run for Sheriff?
Little seemed to be a competent and fair sheriff who would treat everyone equally. If he was crooked then Price shouldn’t have allowed him to be deputy.
The entire story hinges on there being a reason for “change” but I see no reason to go to all the trouble of bringing in organizers to put Little out of office only to hire him as a deputy.
Actually the only reason he would have had to run for sheriff would be to show whitey who is boss.
Again if Little treated black people unfairly he shouldn’t have been allowed to be a deputy with close to the same authority.