{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Tahid (Ty) Rucker","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Tahid Donta Rucker is a registered voter in Richmond County, North Carolina, registered since 2010 (16 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Tahid Donta Rucker's year of birth as 1982; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 10 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Tahid Donta Rucker can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)","firstname":"Tahid","lastname":"Rucker","middlename":"Donta","suffix":null,"token":"db0c3f5977cd603c"},"token":"8noI8uKv5pC-_Nvc"},{"candidatename":"Mark B. Gulledge","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Mark B. Gulledge is the incumbent Sheriff of Richmond County, North Carolina, and is seeking a full term in the 2026 election as the Republican nominee for the office.  The county sheriff is a constitutional officer who must meet the qualifications set out in North Carolina General Statute\u202f163\u20115.1, including residency, age, and the ability to post a bond, and is subject to removal only for cause.  The sheriff serves as the chief law\u2011enforcement executive for the county, overseeing the sheriff\u2019s office, the county jail, and civil process duties\u30103\u2020L1-L8\u3011.\n\nGulledge began his career with the Richmond County Sheriff\u2019s Office in 1999, hired by then\u2011Sheriff Dale\u202fFurr.  He started in the detention division, later becoming a road deputy and serving on the shift of Sheriff James\u202fClemmons.  When Clemmons was elected sheriff in 2010, Gulledge was promoted to chief deputy, a position he held for more than a decade\u30105\u2020L9-L13\u3011.\n\nFollowing the sudden death of Sheriff James\u202fE.\u202fClemmons Jr. on August\u202f5,\u202f2021, the Richmond County Democratic Party recommended Gulledge to fill the vacancy.  The party\u2019s executive committee unanimously approved his name, and the Board of Commissioners confirmed him as sheriff on August\u202f17,\u202f2021, making him the fourth sheriff in the county since 1950\u30103\u2020L19-L27\u3011\u30108\u2020L1-L8\u3011.  He subsequently won a full term in the 2022 election after defeating Nigel\u202fBristow in the Democratic primary\u30105\u2020L22-L26\u3011.\n\nIn 2024 Gulledge announced a change in his political affiliation, switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.  He said the decision was made after prayer and family discussion and emphasized that his duties would remain nonpartisan, serving all residents of Richmond County regardless of party affiliation\u30105\u2020L1-L7\u3011.\n\nAs sheriff, Gulledge has overseen routine law\u2011enforcement operations and responded to emergent incidents.  In August\u202f2023 the sheriff\u2019s office investigated the discovery of human remains in the northern part of the county, with Gulledge briefing the public on the ongoing investigation\u30104\u2020L1-L5\u3011.  He regularly stresses integrity, community service, and a commitment to keeping the county safe.\n\nWhile no formal campaign platform is detailed in the available sources, Gulledge\u2019s public statements highlight a focus on honor, high integrity, and continuity of service established by his predecessor.  He positions the sheriff\u2019s office as an \u201coffice of the people\u201d that is open to all citizens and not driven by partisan politics\u30105\u2020L13-L18\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [3] [Richmond County Democratic Party picks Gulledge as new sheriff - NewsBreak](https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2341092577065/richmond-county-democratic-party-picks-gulledge-as-new-sheriff)\n- [4] [Sheriff's office investigates discovery of human remains in northern Richmond County](https://wpde.com/news/local/sheriffs-office-investigates-discovery-of-human-remains-in-northern-richmond-county)\n- [5] [Richmond County Sheriff Mark Gulledge switches party affiliation to Republican - Richmond Observer](https://richmondobserver.com/local-news/richmond-county-sheriff-mark-gulledge-switches-party-affiliation-to-republican.html)\n- [7] [Local Democrats recommend Gulledge for Richmond County Sheriff | Richmond County Daily Journal](https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/news/102504/local-democrats-recommend-gulledge-for-richmond-county-sheriff)\n- [8] [Gulledge confirmed as sheriff, reflects on Clemmons\u2019s legacy | Richmond County Daily Journal](https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/news/102533/gulledge-confirmed-as-sheriff-reflects-on-clemmonss-legacy)\n- [9] [Mourning the Loss of Richmond County Sheriff James Clemmons](https://www.richmondnc.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=133&ARC=505)","firstname":"Mark","lastname":"Gulledge","middlename":"Barringer","suffix":null,"token":"3750b503d0aae533"},"token":"3smJ6ss9SxJtWNFP"}],"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":"Richmond County Sheriff"}