FROM STAFF REPORTS
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell is seeking re-election to a third term.
Campbell, who filed his candidacy paperwork with the elections office on Tuesday, announced his campaign on his personal Facebook page.
“It seems like a lifetime ago, that I first asked the Citizens of Iredell County to place their trust in me as their Sheriff,” he said. “It is an honor and responsibility that I’ve never taken lightly. I continue to strive today, as promised eight years ago, to make Iredell County the safest place possible for our families, businesses and schools. While we have made great strides in our goal, we still have work to do. We must never stop trying to improve our communities, our neighborhoods, and the place we love to call home.”
If re-elected, Campbell vowed to continue placing an emphasis on the apprehension and prosecution of career criminals and drug traffickers.
“For my office, and the deputies I work along side, we must continue to target repeat offenders,” he said. “We must stand firm on our commitment to keep drugs out of our communities and out of the hands of our children.”
“We must continue to strive to make our schools safe, and build positive relationships with our children, because they are our future leaders of tomorrow. Finally, we must never accept status quo, as an acceptable means for our citizens or our county,” Campbell added.
A Republican, Campbell was the lone candidate to file for the office of sheriff before the N.C. Supreme Court halted candidate filing on Wednesday and delayed the primary election from March 8 until May 17. The delay was caused by a pending lawsuit over the N.C. General Assembly’s redrawn boundaries for state legislative and U.S. House districs.
In his announcement, Campbell said he will bring the same energy to campaign trail as he did when he began his first run for office.
“It is with the same commitment, vigor, and love for Iredell County, that I file today, as I did eight years ago, to continue to be your Sheriff,” he said. “I ask that you place that same trust in me, as you have the past eight years, and together, we can continue to work to make Iredell County the safest place for my family and yours.”
Campbell was sworn in as sheriff on December 1, 2014. He was a major with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office prior to his election.
Campbell has 28 years of law enforcement experience with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. He started his career working in the Detention Center and was promoted to patrol deputy, canine handler, and narcotics detective working with various state and federal agencies. He was subsequently promoted into various supervisorty positions, including patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and supervisor of criminal investigations as a captain and then major.
He has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education from various schools and agencies, including Mitchell Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Wilkes County Community College, National Sheriff’s Association and the Counter Terrorist Division of the Office for Domestic Preparedness. He also has obtained certifications in Law Enforcement Management, Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Managing Police Discipline.
Campbell is currently the elected Second Vice President of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association. He also is the only sheriff from North Carolina to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Sheriff’s Association. He also serves on the Juvenile Jurisdiction Advisory Committee by appointment of the speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives.
He is a lifelong resident of Iredell County and is married to Stacy Edwards Campbell. They have three children.