{"biography":"Edward James McMahon is the incumbent Sheriff of New Hanover County, North Carolina, and is seeking a fourth term in the 2026 election as the Republican nominee. The county sheriff serves as the chief law\u2011enforcement officer, overseeing the sheriff\u2019s office, county jail, civil process service, and public safety initiatives across the jurisdiction. The role requires managing a sizable staff, budgeting for law\u2011enforcement operations, and collaborating with municipal police, the courts, and community partners to maintain public safety.\n\nMcMahon has held the sheriff\u2019s office since 2009, when he was selected by the New Hanover County Democratic Party to fill a vacancy. He has been re\u2011elected three times, making him one of the longest\u2011serving sheriffs in the county\u2019s recent history. In August 2025, McMahon changed his voter registration from Democrat to Republican, citing personal reasons for the switch and announcing his intent to run for reelection in 2026 as a Republican candidate [6].\n\nPublic\u2011record searches suggest McMahon may be about 63 years old and was possibly born in August 1962, though the records aggregate multiple individuals with the same name and should be treated with caution [12]. No specific details about his formal education or early career have been identified in the available sources.\n\nDuring his tenure, McMahon has overseen the county\u2019s law\u2011enforcement operations, including jail management and community\u2011policing initiatives. While the sources do not enumerate specific policy achievements, his continued electoral success indicates sustained voter support for his administration of the sheriff\u2019s duties. The party affiliation change has drawn public commentary, with some observers noting the timing relative to his upcoming campaign [6].\n\nAs a candidate, McMahon\u2019s platform is not detailed in the provided sources, but his campaign will likely emphasize his experience, continuity of leadership, and any public\u2011safety priorities he has pursued while in office. Voters can expect him to address the core responsibilities of the sheriff\u2019s office\u2014crime prevention, jail oversight, and community engagement\u2014through the lens of his long\u2011standing service to New Hanover County.\n\n## Sources\n- [6] [New Hanover County Sheriff switches party affiliation](https://www.wect.com/2025/10/16/new-hanover-county-sheriff-switches-party-affiliation/)\n- [9] [New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon](https://www.wect.com/video/2020/05/31/new-hanover-county-sheriff-ed-mcmahon/)\n- [12] [Edward Mcmahon Public Records (13 Matches) Verified Info](https://www.intelius.com/people-search/edward-mcmahon/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"New Hanover County Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Edward","fullname":"Edward James Mcmahon","lastname":"Mcmahon","middlename":"James","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"New Hanover County Sheriff","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"new_hanover","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"New Hanover County Sheriff","county":"new_hanover","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"new_hanover","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"REP","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Edward James McMahon, incumbent New Hanover County Sheriff since 2009, is running for reelection in 2026 as a Republican after switching parties in 2025.","terms":[],"token":"16f59c2b14968bbd"}