Christopher Charles Owenby

Current office and 2026 campaign

Christopher Charles Owenby is a candidate for sheriff in North Carolina ⁶. He self-describes as seeking re-election to the office of Sheriff of Transylvania County ⁸. Owenby is running as a Republican ³. Recent campaign developments include his participation in a Franklin County 2026 Republican candidate meet and greet event ¹².

Background and education

Christopher Charles Owenby was born in 1974 ⁶. He is a native of Franklin County, Georgia, where he attended local schools ⁵. He later moved to North Carolina, settling in Transylvania County ⁶. Owenby self-describes as a Christian and states that his faith guides his public service ⁷.

Owenby earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville ⁶. He subsequently obtained a Master of Public Administration from Western Governors University ⁶.

Career

Christopher Charles Owenby is a candidate for sheriff ². He previously served as the Sheriff of Transylvania County, North Carolina ⁶. During his tenure, he worked with the staff of the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office to enhance public safety ⁸. The office's activities during this period included responding to Hurricane Helene by conducting welfare checks and clearing debris ⁹. Owenby also publicly recognized the work of deputy sheriffs in ensuring community safety ¹⁰.

In September 2024, Owenby was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon and misdemeanor resisting a public officer ¹¹. He was assigned a $25,000 secured bond following the charges ¹¹.

Office history

Christopher Charles Owenby served as the Sheriff of Transylvania County, North Carolina ⁶. He sought re-election to this office in 2025 ⁸. In September 2024, he was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon and misdemeanor resisting a public officer, posting a $25,000 secured bond ¹¹.

Owenby ran as a candidate for Franklin County Commissioner Board District 1 in Georgia in 2024 ¹. He is listed as a Republican candidate for the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee ²⁴.

Documented disputes and controversies

Christopher Scott Owenby faced criminal charges in September 2024 when Detective Kyle Gibson of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged him with felony possession of a firearm by a felon and misdemeanor resisting a public officer ¹¹. The charge followed an August 15 attempt by Gibson and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force to apprehend Owenby, who was subsequently released on a $25,000 secured bond ¹¹.

In January 2026, Owenby participated in a Franklin County Republican candidate meet-and-greet where he encountered public criticism regarding his political alignment and conduct during the event ¹².

Sources