NC Election 2022: Who is running for Wake County sheriff and why
To understand the dynamics of the upcoming crowded Wake County sheriff’s race, you need to go back four years.
Gerald Baker, then a deputy who retired to run a campaign that pulled in just $15,000 in donations and 16 Twitter followers, won 54% of the vote in the November 2018 general election.
In a surprise to some, Baker bested four-term Republican Sheriff Donnie Harrison, who raised $200,000.
Baker was among seven Black men in North Carolina’s largest counties who were elected sheriffs that year, promising various levels of change. Baker promised to not collaborate with federal immigration officials to identify and detain individuals.
The American Civil Liberties Union spent $100,000 to air radio adds linking Harrison to Donald Trump’s anti-immigration agenda, and many also were critical of a deputy’s role in the April 2018 arrest of Kyron Hinton. The deputy and two state troopers were soon indicted on felony assault charges after Hinton was attacked by a sheriff’s dog and beaten during the high-profile incident.
Still, some attributed Baker’s win to Democratic voters in Wake County showing up for the mid-term election, sweeping all seven county commissioner seats and winning all but one state legislative race, The News & Observer reported.
Baker said the people were ready for new leadership.
Four years later, Harrison and Baker could once again face off, but first they have to survive the May 17 primary with seven Democrats and three Republicans.
The two primary winners will face off in the Nov. 8 general election.
“When you see 10 people running for sheriff, you know there is a problem,” said Harrison after filing to run in December.
The filing period was paused in December amid litigation related to congressional districts. The filing period was reopened Feb. 24 through March 4.
Comments from Harrison and others indicate the election will focus on law and order, Baker’s treatment of employees and the handling of protests after George Floyd was killed by a Minnesota police officer.
Baker said he plans to focus on showing that he and his administration are keeping the county safe.
“They are going to be saying all kinds of things,” Baker said in December. “I am more concerned about continuing to be able to do what I am elected to do. I hope and pray the work is going to be enough for the citizens of the county to re-elect me.”
The Wake County sheriff makes $193,649 annually. The Sheriff’s Office has a nearly $102 million budget with more than 900 employees. Among other duties, it runs Wake’s detention facilities and the pistol permit process, serves warrants, polices certain areas within the county, and protects the Wake County Justice Center and courthouse.
Early voting for the primary runs from April 28 through May 14.
Democratic candidates
▪ Gerald Baker, incumbent
Age: 59
Address: Raleigh
Occupation: sheriff
Political experience: Sheriff from 2018 to present.
Quote: I want voters to know that this office under this administration has done exactly what we were asked to do in terms of being elected sheriff, coming in reorganizing, restructuring, and restoring the integrity of this office. It’s only going to be as strong as the heart of it. I have spent the last three years dealing with the internal aspects. Once you get those lined up and get those standards, everything comes into place.
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▪ Randolph Baity
Age: 46
Address: Raleigh, NC
Occupation: Police officer
Political experience: None
Website: www.electrandolphbaity.org
Quote: The seat of the Sheriff is one of service to the people of this county; to provide leadership and direction to all seeking safety and the preservation of their constitutional rights.
▪ Joe Coley
Age: 51
Address: Raleigh
Occupation: Sergeant, North Carolina State Capitol Police Department
Website: www.joecoley.com
Quote: My vision as sheriff of Wake County, is to provide fair and impartial treatment to all persons regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, political persuasion, physical or mental ability, economic status, or place of residence in the county. Wake County is the capital county and our Sheriff’s Office should be a shining example of honorable public safety for the entire state of North Carolina. We can achieve this through the use of technology, innovation, community partnerships and trustworthy policing.
▪ Cedric Herring
Age: 53
Address: Apex
Occupation: Retired sergeant, North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Website: www.votecedricherring.com
Quote: Cedric Herring is a concerned citizen committed to improving the quality of life for all Wake County residents. With 29 years of progressive law enforcement experience in Wake County and as a member of the State Highway Patrol, and as a decorated Army veteran, Cedric is uniquely positioned to lead the Wake County Sheriff’s Office during a time of reassessment and rebuilding. Cedric cares about improving community relations, agency morale, and outcomes for mentally ill and/or addicted persons in custody. Cedric offers fresh energy and new perspectives for Wake County.
▪ Tommy Matthews
Age: 68
Address: McCullers community
Occupation: Retired, Wake County Sheriff’s Office. Former major at the Criminal Investigation Division, assistant director of Detention Services
Website: www.tommymatthewsforwakesheriff.com
Quote: In my over four decades in law enforcement and leadership experience, I’ve learned one very important truth. It’s not up to me to tell the community what it needs in a sheriff. It’s my duty to listen. I have. And I hear you. I firmly believe it’s time we work together for a respected and trusted Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
▪ Willie Rowe
Age: 62
Address: Raleigh
Occupation: Retired Wake County Sheriff’s Office major
Website: www.roweforsheriff.com
Quote: Your safety matters.
▪ Roy G. Taylor
Age: 59
Address: Wake Forest
Occupation: chief of police for Capitol Special Police, a private law enforcement agency
Website: electroytaylorsheriff.com
Quote: I am a law enforcement officer with over 40 years of experience in various positions. For the past 26 years, I have served as a Chief of Police in federal, state, local and private agencies. In addition, I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve Military Police Corps. I earned a doctorate in criminal justice and believe that my experience, education and training provide me with the skills necessary to lead the 1,000 employees and manage the $100,000,000 budget of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
Republican candidates
▪ David Blackwelder
Age: 36
Address: Wake Forest
Occupation: Lawyer
Political experience: None.
Website: www.wakecountysheriff.com
Quote: I believe in transparency and accountability in government, for the people, by the people. Where we are all equal under the law. I will fight to rebuild community trust and ensure equal protection under the law. Everyone is welcome and will always have an opportunity to sit at the table. These principles are why I will always place public safety over politics and fight for the rights of all people.
▪ Donnie Harrison
Age: 76
Address: Garner
Occupation: Retired
Political experience: Wake County sheriff from 2002 to 2018
Website: www.donnieharrison.com
Quote: We need a safer Wake County. We must fully fund our Deputies and Detention Officers, emphasizing more training and better salaries. It’s time to focus on the mental health crisis by working with EMS and the County Commissioners. And we must put more deputies on patrol to improve response times and provide safer communities.
In short, we need a respected, responsible Sheriff who knows the job and is committed to working night and day to protect our citizens. I am ready to step in and serve once again.
▪ Tivon Howard
Age: 46
Address: Zebulon
Occupation: Town of Zebulon Police Department detective, sergeant
Political experience:
Website: : https://howard4sheriff.com
Quote: As your sheriff I will do everything in my power to return a sense of safety to our community. This will be accomplished by proactive enforcement methods to remove criminals from Wake County. Community engagement will be the hallmark of my agency. As your sheriff I will depend on the community at all levels to achieve success. A detailed plan to ensure the return of safety to our county will be released soon.
This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 10:28 AM.
