{"biography":"Nathan Michael Mace is the Republican candidate for McDowell County Sheriff in the 2026 North Carolina general election, with the primary held on March 3, 2026 [1]. The sheriff\u2019s office in North Carolina counties is responsible for law\u2011enforcement patrol, criminal investigations, operating the county jail, serving civil process, and providing court security; the elected sheriff also sets policy, manages the budget, and oversees all deputy personnel.\n\nMace has spent more than half a decade in senior leadership of the McDowell County Sheriff\u2019s Office. In May 2018 he was appointed chief deputy, the second\u2011in\u2011command position that supervises day\u2011to\u2011day operations, coordinates patrol units, and manages the jail and administrative staff [11]. He continued in that role at least through early 2025, when a local radio station highlighted his participation in a community event as \u201cChief Deputy Nathan Mace from MCSO\u201d [10]. The chief deputy position gives Mace direct experience with the core functions of the sheriff\u2019s office and familiarity with the county\u2019s public\u2011safety needs.\n\nPublic biographical details such as education or prior law\u2011enforcement assignments are not provided in the available sources. Ballotpedia does not list a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 or endorsements for Mace, and he has not completed the site\u2019s Candidate Connection survey [1].\n\nAs a candidate, Mace is running on the Republican ticket and was listed on the primary ballot alongside three other Republicans: J.\u202fS. Calvert, Bryon Crisp, and Brent Allen Rumfelt [1]. No formal campaign platform or policy statements are recorded in the sources, but his long tenure as chief deputy suggests a focus on continuity of law\u2011enforcement services and internal office experience. Voters can contact his campaign via the email address posted on the Ballotpedia page, NMACEFORSHERIFF@GMAIL.COM, which the site encourages the public to use for inquiries [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Nathan Mace (McDowell County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nathan_Mace_(McDowell_County_Sheriff,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n- [7] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [10] [Chief Deputy Nathan Mace from MCSO was able to join us ...](https://www.facebook.com/100071489104874/posts/chief-deputy-nathan-mace-from-mcso-was-able-to-join-us-as-well-/613674511025514/)\n- [11] [Mace takes over as chief deputy](https://mcdowellnews.com/news/local/mace-takes-over-as-chief-deputy/article_9c67687e-6516-11e8-a633-c3a2ec480aca.html)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"mcdowell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Mcdowell County Sheriff"},{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"mcdowell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Mcdowell County Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Nathan","fullname":"Nathan Michael Mace","lastname":"Mace","middlename":"Michael","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Mcdowell County Sheriff","county":"mcdowell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"mcdowell","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Mcdowell County Sheriff","county":"mcdowell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"mcdowell","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"mcdowell","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Mcdowell County Sheriff","county":"mcdowell","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"mcdowell","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":"Nathan Mace, a longtime chief deputy, is the 2026 Republican candidate for McDowell County Sheriff.","terms":[],"token":"5241bdcbf3ce05e9"}