County

Sheriff, Wilson 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

Brandon L. Barbrey

Democratic

Major, Wilson County Sheriff's Office

The gist

Supports Flock license plate cameras with strict access limits
Proposes studying new management for the county animal shelter
Pledges to build partnerships with other law enforcement agencies

More about Brandon

View sources (1)

Supports Flock license plate cameras with strict access limits
Election 2026: Barbrey points to experience in run for sheriff
News coverage · The Wilson Times · wilsontimes.com
“The Flock LPRs are a good tool as long as there are good guardrails”
Proposes studying new management for the county animal shelter
Election 2026: Barbrey points to experience in run for sheriff
News coverage · The Wilson Times · wilsontimes.com
“That could ultimately include another department within county government assuming responsibility or exploring a professionally operated private or nonprofit model”
Pledges to build partnerships with other law enforcement agencies
Election 2026: Barbrey points to experience in run for sheriff
News coverage · The Wilson Times · wilsontimes.com
“I’m bringing relationships to the table.”

Bobby Knight

Republican

Field training officer, Nash County Sheriff's Office

The gist

Supports continued use of license plate reader cameras
Supports animal shelter policy changes and community involvement

More about Bobby

View sources (1)

Supports continued use of license plate reader cameras
Election 2026: Bobby Knight makes case for sheriff post
News coverage · The Wilson Times · wilsontimes.com
“I don’t see what the uproar is now all of the sudden, not just Flock, but LPRs in general have been around for years.”
Supports animal shelter policy changes and community involvement
Election 2026: Bobby Knight makes case for sheriff post
News coverage · The Wilson Times · wilsontimes.com
“I think there’s a whole lot more acute community involvement that needs to take place there.”

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.