{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTimothy Lucas Gupton is a Democratic candidate seeking election as Franklin County Sheriff in 2026 [1]. He officially announced his candidacy on December 15, 2025 [2]. Gupton self-describes as a lifelong Franklin County resident and a graduate of Bunn High School\u2019s Class of 1991 [4].\n\nThe Franklin County Democratic Party featured Gupton as a special guest at its executive committee meeting on February 5, 2026 [3]. His campaign platform emphasizes respect, integrity, and making solid commitments to the community [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nTim Gupton self-describes as a lifelong resident of Franklin County [4]. He is a product of the Franklin County Public School System and graduated from Bunn High School in the Class of 1991 [4]. Specific details regarding his higher education, religious affiliation, or birth year are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nTim Gupton is a lifelong resident of Franklin County who graduated from Bunn High School in 1991 [4]. He describes himself as a product of the Franklin County Public School System and states that his path in law enforcement began with a desire to serve the county he calls home [4].\n\nProfessionally, Gupton is a law enforcement officer who has worked in the federal judicial branch for nearly 30 years [5]. He previously held positions in local and state law enforcement agencies [5]. His career includes leading high-risk operations alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Marshals Service [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nTim Gupton self-describes as a lifelong Franklin County resident and a product of the Franklin County Public School System, having graduated from Bunn High School in 1991 [4]. He states that his path in law enforcement began with education and a desire to serve the county [4]. Specific details regarding previous elected or appointed offices held, term lengths, districts, or key responsibilities are not provided in the available sources.\n\nGupton officially announced his candidacy for Franklin County Sheriff on December 15, 2025 [2]. He is running on a platform of respect, integrity, and making solid commitments to the community [1][3]. The Franklin County Democratic Party of NC has endorsed him as a special guest for their February 5th meeting to discuss involvement in the 2026 elections [1][3]. Information regarding any prior races run or lost is not included in the provided sources.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tim Gupton, Candidate for Franklin County Sheriff! Tim is... | Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DUHSqMeD1l7/)\n[2] [Tim Gupton officially announced his candidacy for Franklin County ...](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSTlIbGESYW/)\n[3] [FRANKLIN COUNTY NC DEMS | We are excited to announce our ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DT2_Khfj1W0/)\n[4] [Tim Gupton for Franklin County Sheriff - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/61585308986848/posts/some-have-asked-timwho-are-you-and-where-did-you-starti-am-a-proud-product-of-th/122096525157176966/)\n[5] [Tim Gupton platform & website | Franklin Sheriff](https://branch.vote/races/2026-north-carolina-general-election-nc-state-sheriff-nc-county-franklin/candidates/tim-gupton)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"franklin","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Franklin County Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Timothy","fullname":"Timothy Lucas Gupton","lastname":"Gupton","middlename":"Lucas","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Franklin County Sheriff","county":"franklin","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"franklin","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"franklin","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Franklin County Sheriff","county":"franklin","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"franklin","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":"Tim Gupton is a Democrat candidate for Franklin County Sheriff in North Carolina, with a background in federal law enforcement and local roots.","terms":[],"token":"84ac5202d5f00a73"}