County

Sheriff, Wake 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

Kenny Blackwell

Republican

Investigator, State Capitol Police

The gist

Pledges to target drugs and human trafficking
Proposes raising pay for deputies and detention officers
Pledges a transparent, accountable and accessible sheriff's office

More about Kenny

View sources (1)

Pledges to target drugs and human trafficking
Kenny Blackwell for Wake County Sheriff
Campaign website · Kenny Blackwell for Wake County Sheriff · kenny4wake.com
“Join me as we lead the charge against drugs, human trafficking and work to improve community relationships, mental health services, and retainment of deputies.”
Proposes raising pay for deputies and detention officers
Kenny Blackwell for Wake County Sheriff
Campaign website · Kenny Blackwell for Wake County Sheriff · kenny4wake.com
“Increase Salaries for Deputies and Detention Officers”
Pledges a transparent, accountable and accessible sheriff's office
Kenny Blackwell for Wake County Sheriff
Campaign website · Kenny Blackwell for Wake County Sheriff · kenny4wake.com
“ensure the Sheriff’s Office operates with transparency and accountability”

Willie Rowe

DemocraticIncumbent

The gist

Supports more deputy presence and engagement in communities
Proposes a Sheriff's Advisory Council to review office performance
Pledges to fill vacancies and maintain sufficient staffing
Supports deputies mentoring in schools and coaching youth

More about Willie

View sources (1)

Supports more deputy presence and engagement in communities
Willie Rowe for Sheriff
Campaign website · Willie Rowe campaign · roweforsheriff.com
“Increasing officer presence and engagement in communities to prevent crime and foster positive relationships with the residents.”
Proposes a Sheriff's Advisory Council to review office performance
Willie Rowe for Sheriff
Campaign website · Willie Rowe campaign · roweforsheriff.com
“Establishing a Sheriff's Advisory Council to review the Sheriff's Office performance and provide input”
Pledges to fill vacancies and maintain sufficient staffing
Willie Rowe for Sheriff
Campaign website · Willie Rowe campaign · roweforsheriff.com
“It will be critical that the office fill current vacancies and maintain sufficient staffing to safely perform the duties of the office.”
Supports deputies mentoring in schools and coaching youth
Willie Rowe for Sheriff
Campaign website · Willie Rowe campaign · roweforsheriff.com
“Serving as mentors in elementary schools and coaches in community youth organizations.”

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; 2 issues covered in this race.