Two Sheriff’s Run For reelection

Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead and Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe are both aiming for another term. Birkhead is pursuing his third term in office, while Rowe is looking for his second.

As stated in a press release from the Durham County sheriff's office, Clarence F. Birkhead has officially qualified to run in the upcoming 2026 election after submitting his paperwork at the Durham County Board of Elections Office earlier this week. On Tuesday, Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe shared on Facebook that he has filed for re-election at the Wake County Board of Elections. This marks Rowe's second attempt at the sheriff position since his initial election in 2022. Sheriff Rowe brings nearly 40 years of experience with the Wake County Sheriff's office. He started as a deputy in 1985 and retired in 2013. Even during his retirement, he continued to work in various roles in Raleigh before winning the sheriff election in November 2022.

Birkhead made history by being sworn in as the first African-American sheriff in Durham County in 2018. He successfully secured a second term in 2022.

“It is during these challenging times that consistent leadership is so important, and that’s why I have made the decision to seek a third term,” Sheriff Birkhead said in a statement.

“Since my election nearly eight years ago, I have championed transparency, engagement and accountability in the office of the sheriff,” Birkhead said in a video announcement on Thursday morning. “These principles have guided us to transforming this great office.”