{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Kevin H. Bean","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Kevin Harold Bean is the incumbent Sheriff of Caldwell County, North Carolina, and is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2026 election. The county sheriff is the chief law\u2011enforcement officer responsible for maintaining public safety, overseeing the county jail, serving civil process, and providing patrol and investigative services throughout the jurisdiction. Sheriff Bean has held the office since August\u202f30,\u202f2024, when he was sworn in as the county\u2019s 33rd sheriff following the retirement of Sheriff Alan\u202fJones\u301012\u3011.\n\nBean was born and raised in Hudson, NC, the son of Reverend Harold and Juanita Bean. After working at Broyhill Furniture Industries beginning in 1981, he pursued Basic Law Enforcement Training at night while continuing his day job, entering the Caldwell County Sheriff\u2019s Office as a reserve deputy in 2003 under Sheriff Gary Clark\u301011\u3011. Over more than two decades he advanced through every rank in the patrol division, ultimately being appointed Chief Deputy in 2019, the highest appointed position overseeing daily operations for the office\u301011\u3011.\n\nHis professional training includes the North Carolina Sheriffs\u2019 Education and Training Standards Commission Intermediate Service Award, Advanced Service Award, First Line Supervision, the Sheriffs Leadership Academy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Incident Command System, North Carolina State Highway Patrol Driving School, a sniper/observer course at Guilford Community College, Crisis Intervention Team certification, and the Police Law Institute. He also implemented the department\u2019s Narcotics/Tracking K\u20119 program and was named Officer of the Year in 2014, 2016, and 2017\u301011\u3011.\n\nAs sheriff, Bean emphasizes community engagement, accessibility, and a strong commitment to the right to keep and bear arms, reflecting his lifelong interest in hunting and fishing. He cites experience supporting victims of a wide range of crimes, including assaults against fellow officers, and pledges to work side\u2011by\u2011side with citizens and staff to maintain law and order while fostering better relationships with the community\u301011\u3011.\n\nBean\u2019s current platform focuses on continuing the department\u2019s existing programs, enhancing public safety initiatives, and expanding outreach to ensure the sheriff\u2019s office remains responsive to the needs of Caldwell County residents as he seeks re\u2011election in the 2026 race.\n\n## Sources\n- [11] [Staff Directory - Sheriff Kevin Bean](https://www.caldwellcountync.org/directory.aspx?EID=77)\n- [12] [Kevin Bean Sworn-in as Caldwell County Sheriff](https://www.caldwelledc.org/news/p/item/59143/kevin-bean-swornin-as-caldwell-county-sheriff)","firstname":"Kevin","lastname":"Bean","middlename":"Harold","suffix":null,"token":"11d952ccf688cb53"},"token":"2rMTQcPZrOYx-6wK"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"sheriff","o.office":"county_sheriff","office":"county_sheriff","officedescription":"The sheriff is the county's chief law-enforcement officer. The office operates the county jail, provides court security, serves civil process and executes warrants, and provides patrol and investigation \u2014 a large operational command with a substantial budget.","officequalities":"- Organizational leadership of a sheriff's office spanning patrol, investigations, court services, and the county jail.\n- Oversight of the county jail, including intake, inmate health, and release procedures.\n- Working knowledge of Tennessee criminal law, court process, and constitutional search-and-seizure standards.\n- Ability to develop and oversee the office's operating budget with public accountability.\n- Coordination with municipal police departments and neighboring-county and state agencies.\n- A documented law-enforcement or public-safety background.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Sheriff","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Caldwell County Sheriff"}