County

Sheriff, Craven County

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

What this office does: The sheriff is the county's chief law enforcement officer and runs the county jail.

Candidates Compare by issue

Mickey Tillman

Democratic

Law enforcement officer

The gist

Supports giving cold cases more attention
Supports more training, experience and support for deputies
Supports a jail that is safe for staff and inmates
Pledges a visible, accessible sheriff who listens

More about Mickey

View sources (1)

Supports giving cold cases more attention
Tillman for Sheriff
Campaign website · Tillman for Sheriff · sites.google.com
“I want to see cold cases receive the attention they deserve.”
Supports more training, experience and support for deputies
Tillman for Sheriff
Campaign website · Tillman for Sheriff · sites.google.com
“I want deputies to have the training, experience, and support they need to do their jobs with confidence.”
Supports a jail that is safe for staff and inmates
Tillman for Sheriff
Campaign website · Tillman for Sheriff · sites.google.com
“I want a jail that is safe for the employees who work there and the people housed inside.”
Pledges a visible, accessible sheriff who listens
Tillman for Sheriff
Campaign website · Tillman for Sheriff · sites.google.com
“I've also believed that a Sheriff should be visible in the community, accessible to the people he serves, and willing to listen.”

Chip Hughes

RepublicanIncumbent

Sheriff

The gist

Pledges an aggressive response to violent crime and drugs
Pledges continued focus on school safety and gang enforcement
Supports proper training and modern resources for deputies
Pledges to keep an open-door policy with residents

More about Chip

View sources (2)

Pledges an aggressive response to violent crime and drugs
Candidates for sheriff face off in March primary
News coverage · New Bern Sun Journal · newbernsj.com
“Hughes said he will continue to focus on crime prevention, with an aggressive response to violent crime and drug activity”
Pledges continued focus on school safety and gang enforcement
Candidates file in 2026 election races
News coverage · New Bern Sun Journal · newbernsj.com
“with a continued emphasis on safer schools, drug and gang enforcement, animal welfare and improving the overall quality of life for our citizens”
Supports proper training and modern resources for deputies
Candidates for sheriff face off in March primary
News coverage · New Bern Sun Journal · newbernsj.com
“support the men and women of the sheriff’s office by providing proper training, modern resources and strong leadership”
Pledges to keep an open-door policy with residents
Candidates for sheriff face off in March primary
News coverage · New Bern Sun Journal · newbernsj.com
“Hughes also plans to continue his open-door policy with residents”

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.