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James Haywood Thornton
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
James Haywood Thornton, known as Jimmy Thornton, is the incumbent Sampson County Sheriff seeking his seventh term. He won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary, defeating challenger Tracy Jackson 4,529 votes (69 percent) to 2,009 votes (30 percent) with all 23 precincts reporting, and faces Democratic challenger Donald Edwards in the November 3, 2026 general election 3. He has served as Sampson County's chief law enforcement officer since 2002 1.
Background and education
Thornton is a 1969 graduate of Hobbton High School in Sampson County. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Social Work from East Carolina University in 1974 and a Master of Business Administration from North Carolina State University in the 1980s 1.
Career
Before becoming sheriff, Thornton worked as a District Manager for the North Carolina Division of Adult Correction's Probation and Parole section for 28 years. He was first elected Sampson County Sheriff in 2002 and has been re-elected continuously since, most recently earning a fifth term in 2018 1.
Family
Thornton had been married to his wife Betsy for more than 45 years as of 2018. They have two sons, Brian and Greg, and three grandchildren 1.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Thornton”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Thornton”.