The Gist
Home

County

Sheriff, Harford County

Vote for
1
Term
4 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The sheriff runs the county's sheriff's office: serving court papers, providing courthouse security and, in many counties, patrolling and running the detention center.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Terrence Rogers

Democratic

Pastor; veteran; former police officer · Aberdeen

The gist

  • Supports crime prevention through community partnerships
  • Pledges a legislative liaison to handle Annapolis policy work
  • Pledges compliance with Maryland's 287(g) ban
  • Pledges regular public reporting of office performance benchmarks
  • Supports protecting patrol and detention staffing and training
More about Terrence
View sources (2)

  1. Supports crime prevention through community partnerships

    Terrence Rogers for Sheriff

    Campaign website · Terrence Rogers for Sheriff · rogersformd.com

    “We cannot arrest our way to lasting public safety.”

  2. Pledges a legislative liaison to handle Annapolis policy work

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “I will also appoint a Legislative Liaison whose sole responsibility will be to monitor legislation”

  3. Pledges compliance with Maryland's 287(g) ban

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “Maryland law has changed, and as Sheriff, I will fully comply with that law.”

  4. Pledges regular public reporting of office performance benchmarks

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “Those are measurable outcomes, and they should be reported regularly and publicly.”

  5. Supports protecting patrol and detention staffing and training

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “What I would protect is patrol staffing, detention staffing, training, and recruitment.”

Jeffrey R. Gahler

RepublicanIncumbent

Harford County Sheriff · Forest Hill

The gist

  • Opposes Maryland's end of 287(g) immigration agreements
  • Pledges legal challenge to limits on federal immigration cooperation
  • Supports restoring the Central Precinct and training academy project
  • Pledges expanded enforcement against organized retail theft
  • Opposes state laws weakening accountability for repeat offenders
  • Supports an active sheriff role in legislative debates
More about Jeffrey
View sources (1)

  1. Opposes Maryland's end of 287(g) immigration agreements

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “The reality of ending the 287(g) agreement is misunderstood and creates a dangerous vulnerability.”

  2. Pledges legal challenge to limits on federal immigration cooperation

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “I will be partnering with other law enforcement leaders around the state to challenge the legality of this legislation.”

  3. Supports restoring the Central Precinct and training academy project

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “I will continue to advocate for the restoration of the precinct and training academy project.”

  4. Pledges expanded enforcement against organized retail theft

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “I will expand the targeted enforcement already in place, strengthen partnerships with retailers, and deploy data driven strategies”

  5. Opposes state laws weakening accountability for repeat offenders

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “decisions made by legislators and the Governor that weaken accountability for repeat offenders and limit the tools law enforcement needs”

  6. Supports an active sheriff role in legislative debates

    Who is running for Harford County sheriff in the 2026 election?

    Candidate questionnaire · The Baltimore Sun / Capital Gazette voter guide · May 20, 2026 · baltimoresun.com

    “The Sheriff's Office cannot remain on the sidelines of local and state politics”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.