Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden held onto a narrow lead in his race for a third term in Tuesday’s Mecklenburg County Democratic primary, with nearly all precincts reporting.
McFadden looked set to pull off his reelection despite facing significant headwinds. During his time in office, McFadden has faced numerous controversies, including an ongoing State Bureau of Investigation inquiry, almost two dozen jail deaths in recent years and allegations of workplace misconduct from some of his own former chief deputies.
Still, he says he has delivered on his promises and produced results for the county, including jail reforms and a focus on rehabilitation over punishment. A former homicide detective with a reality TV show called "I Am Homicide," McFadden created programs like a recording studio in the county jail so inmates can make music, and a traffic enforcement unit that expanded the Sheriff's Office role in law enforcement outside the jail and courthouse.
The sheriff also picked up the key endorsement of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. And it appeared his opponents — three former law enforcement officials with similar background and campaign messages — split the vote against McFadden, who picked up only around a third of ballots cast.
McFadden has served as sheriff since 2018. He led Tuesday’s race with 33.96% of the vote. He was ahead of retired CMPD Sgt. Ricky Robbins (31.08%) and retired Chief Deputy Rodney Collins (26.82%). Antwain Nance, a detention officer, trailed with 8.14%
There are no Republican candidates in the race. The winner of the sheriff's primary begins their term in December.
