There is no difference when you compare the federal to state and local politics. A sheriff or person looking to be appointed as DA or judge is simply looking out for their best interest, not yours. State and local are extensions of the federal, and regardless, they will ask "how high" when the feds tell them to jump.
Vote local, vote state, vote federal, vote democrat, vote republican, vote indie, vote for Jesus, the fact is nothing is going to change. The entire system is broken and needs to be done away with.