Chad E. Hawkins

Hawkins won a competitive primary and is now unopposed. When he was elected sheriff in 2022, he became the county's first Republican sheriff in over 40 years. His top issues include responsible management of the sheriff's office budget, deputy morale and retention, and strengthening partnerships with local law enforcement agencies. He has said he finished the prior fiscal year "$1.1 million under budget," and stated that "every dollar is reviewed, justified and approved through a public record." Wise News Network reported that Hawkins emphasized responsible leadership over the office's multi-million-dollar budget and pledged continued partnership with local agencies during a January 2026 debate. Hawkins has online posts defending the law enforcement experience of key members of his staff as well as his department's spending levels. “I’ve made it a priority to lead with transparency, serve with dedication, uphold the rule of law, and back our deputies every single day,” Hawkins said on his Facebook page. He says he has proven leadership and experience and that the sheriff’s office received an award for cooperating with federal authorities, “which means when an illegal alien is in the Gaston County Jail, we notify ICE.”