{"biography":"Clarence Franklin Birkhead is the incumbent Sheriff of Durham County, North Carolina, and is seeking a third term in the November 3, 2026 general election as the Democratic nominee [1][11]. The county sheriff\u2019s office is responsible for law\u2011enforcement across unincorporated areas, operation of the county jail, court security, service of civil process, and coordination with state and federal agencies. The role also requires oversight of public safety programs, community outreach, and the management of a sizable personnel and budgetary portfolio.\n\nBirkhead has spent more than three decades in public service. Before his election as sheriff, he held several positions with Duke University, including leading the Duke Police Department, where he addressed homelessness, underage drinking, and campus\u2011adjacent crime. He has also served on numerous city and county boards, taught as an adjunct instructor at North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College, and participated in regional law\u2011enforcement collaborations [6].\n\nHe was first elected sheriff in November 2018, winning 98.2% of the vote and assuming office that year. He was re\u2011elected in 2022 with 71.6% of the vote and again advanced from the Democratic primary in March 2026 with 85.8% of the vote, defeating challenger Johnny Hawkins [1]. His current term is set to end on December 7, 2026.\n\nDuring his tenure, Birkhead has pursued a range of criminal\u2011justice reforms. He serves on Governor Cooper\u2019s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice and on the Governor\u2019s Crime Commission, among other state\u2011level bodies, bringing a focus on equity and community\u2011based solutions [6]. He has instituted a policy of refusing ICE detainers without a judicial warrant, banned no\u2011knock warrants, and adopted the \u201c8 Can\u2019t Wait\u201d standards to limit use\u2011of\u2011force incidents. Birkhead also launched the Sheriff\u2019s Targeted Enforcement Program (STEP) to address quality\u2011of\u2011life concerns, and created a regional \u201cSTRIKE\u201d team that coordinates high\u2011risk operations across four counties to remove violent offenders from the streets [3].\n\nUnder his leadership, the Durham County Sheriff\u2019s Office (DCSO) earned the \u201cTriple Crown\u201d of accreditations\u2014CALEA, ACA, and NCCHC\u2014recognizing excellence in law\u2011enforcement, corrections, and correctional health care. He expanded technology adoption, issuing body\u2011worn and in\u2011car dash cameras to all deputies, school resource officers, and detention staff, citing improvements in evidence collection, transparency, and reduced complaints [3].\n\nBirkhead has also prioritized humane treatment of detainees, introducing medication\u2011assisted treatment for substance\u2011use disorders, 24/7 mental\u2011health care, peer\u2011support programs, and a male mental\u2011health pod. He improved detainee communications by lowering phone rates and adding email and video\u2011visit options. Community engagement initiatives include the Citizens Advisory Board, partnerships with local advocacy groups, and the Faith ID program, all aimed at building trust and addressing public\u2011safety concerns collaboratively [3].\n\nIn addition to his local duties, Birkhead has testified before the U.S. Senate on sanctuary\u2011city policies, emphasizing that while Durham is not a sanctuary county, his office will enforce the law while rejecting policies he deems illegal or ineffective [12]. He continues to advocate for reduced crime, expanded mental\u2011health and re\u2011entry services, and professional development for deputies as part of his platform for a third term [6].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Clarence Birkhead - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Clarence_Birkhead)\n- [3] [ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Birkheadfordurham - Clarence Birkhead](https://www.birkheadfordurham.com/copy-of-meet-clarence-1)\n- [6] [Durham County Sheriff: Clarence Birkhead | 2026 Primary Candidates](https://indyweek.com/news/durham-county-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-2026/)\n- [7] [Sheriff Clarence Birkhead | North Carolina Sheriffs' Association](https://ncsheriffs.org/people/clarence-birkhead)\n- [9] [Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead on ICE cooperation. Plus, more non-criminal immigrants are being detained in NC. | WUNC News](https://www.wunc.org/show/due-south/2025-07-31/durham-county-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-ice-cooperation-more-non-criminal-immigrants-being-detained-nc)\n- [11] [Wake County sheriff seeks his 2nd term, Durham County sheriff plans to run for a 3rd :: WRAL.com](https://www.wral.com/news/local/durham-county-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-third-term-dec-2025/)\n- [12] [Durham Sheriff Clarence Birkhead defends policies in testimony before Congress - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham](https://abc11.com/post/durham-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-defends-policies-testimony-before-congress/18790147/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"durham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Durham County Sheriff"},{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"durham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Durham County Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Clarence","fullname":"Clarence Franklin Birkhead","lastname":"Birkhead","middlename":"Franklin","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Durham County Sheriff","county":"durham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"durham","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Durham County Sheriff","county":"durham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"durham","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"durham","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Durham County Sheriff","county":"durham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"durham","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, a Democrat, is running for a third term in 2026 after leading reforms in criminal\u2011justice, jail care, and community policing.","terms":[],"token":"212d86dbd8c7d53e"}