Garry L. McFadden

Party:

Democrat

Incumbent:

Yes

Age:

Approximately 65

Previous experience in elected office:

Mecklenburg County Sheriff (2018-present)

Occupation:

Currently, Mecklenburg County Sheriff; former CMPD homicide detective

Description:

McFadden describes himself as "factual, fearless and faithful." He is in his seventh year as county sheriff and was the first Black sheriff elected to the role. Republicans have widely criticized him for failing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and state legislators in 2025 passed a law attempting to force him and other sheriffs to cooperate more. He has been known for not cooperating with ICE for many years though he told an N.C. House committee on February 9, 2026 that his office "follows the law." In an extensive Charlotte Optimist profile from 2025, McFadden is described as well-dressed, well-connected and "widely regarded as one of the most successful homicide detectives in America." He is endorsed by the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Other personal:

McFadden has been named in lawsuits accusing him of racism and retaliation. Several of his employees have left and publicly complained about his management style, including a chief deputy who said he suffered “mentally and physically” under what he called McFadden’s “abusive and narcissistic behaviors.” In response, McFadden has said he is direct and has tough conversations and has high standards of accountability. McFadden has also "drawn scrutiny" for the death of inmates in the county jail, though he denies that it was due to anything related to the jail or its staff. In 2024, he was secretly recorded referring to a white captain as a “cracker” and to a chief deputy as the n-word (both men are Black, and McFadden subsequently apologized). In January 2026, a petition to remove him from office was dismissed. He is a father and grandfather. McFadden attended Johnson C. Smith University.

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