Kevin White

Current office and 2026 campaign

Kevin White currently serves as the Sheriff of Franklin County, North Carolina ¹. He is a candidate in the 2026 election for the same office ¹⁴. White officially submitted his candidacy to seek another term in December 2025 ⁷. His re-election campaign was formally launched with a kickoff event held on January 29, 2026 ⁵.

White’s campaign platform emphasizes law and order, stating that he will fight to uphold laws and protect safety in Franklin County ⁴. He self-describes as a leader who has trained and led in various law enforcement situations, including active shooter training ³. The campaign highlights his tenure since being elected in 2022, citing accomplishments such as 472 narcotics arrests and the seizure of over 4,000 grams of fentanyl ².

Recent developments during White’s current term include a lawsuit filed against him by former Franklin County Manager Kimberly Denton for defamation and tortious interference in October 2025 ⁸. The suit alleged that White publicly attacked her integrity regarding county spending during hurricane relief efforts ⁸. White has also been involved in high-profile incidents, including an update on a deputy shot in December 2025 and the investigation of a juvenile shooting in April 2026 ⁶. He voiced frustration online regarding a suspect in custody related to the deputy shooting, noting the suspect had previously attempted to kill ⁹.

Background and education

Kevin White was born and raised in Franklin County, North Carolina ⁴. He self-describes as a law enforcement officer with decades of service, having worked, trained, and led in patrol, criminal investigation, domestic violence, and drug investigations ³¹⁰. White also established the first integrated active shooter training event in Franklin County involving law, fire, and EMS personnel ³.

Specific details regarding his birth year, religious affiliation, or formal educational degrees are not provided in the available sources.

Career

Kevin White has served in law enforcement for decades, with a career beginning in 2000 ¹⁵. He has worked and trained in patrol, criminal investigation, domestic violence cases, and drug investigations ³. White is a firearms instructor who teaches training to his employing agency, surrounding law enforcement agencies, and recruits at his local community college ¹⁵.

White established the first integrated active shooter training event in Franklin County, which included personnel from law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services ³. He is also recognized as a leader in active shooter training initiatives ³.

Office history

Kevin White served as a Franklin County Investigator prior to his election as Sheriff ³. He was elected Franklin County Sheriff in 2022 ². In this role, he is responsible for law enforcement and jail operations within the county ¹⁰. White has stated that he established the first integrated active shooter training event in Franklin County involving law, fire, and EMS personnel ³.

White launched a re-election campaign for Franklin County Sheriff on January 29, 2026 ⁵. He officially submitted his candidacy to seek another term in office in December 2025 ⁷. White is currently seeking re-election in the upcoming 2026 election ¹².

Legislative record and accomplishments

As a county sheriff, Kevin White does not sponsor legislative bills or serve on legislative committees, as these roles are reserved for elected members of the North Carolina General Assembly ¹. His policy positions and "legislative" focus within his office center on law enforcement priorities, specifically advocating for strict law and order enforcement and criticizing federal leadership for endangering public safety ⁴. White has publicly criticized county government administration, alleging that bureaucratic "red tape" hindered hurricane relief efforts and leading to a defamation lawsuit filed by former County Manager Kimberly Denton ¹³⁸.

During his tenure, White’s office reports significant enforcement actions, including 472 narcotics arrests and the seizure of over 4,000 grams of fentanyl ². He has emphasized proactive policing strategies, such as establishing the first integrated active shooter training event in Franklin County involving law, fire, and EMS personnel ³. White’s office also highlights initiatives under "Safe Streets," "Safe Schools," and "Safe Deputies" programs, though specific legislative details of these county-level actions are not provided in available records ¹¹.

Documented disputes and controversies

In October 2025, former Franklin County Manager Kimberly B. Denton filed a defamation and tortious interference lawsuit against Sheriff White ⁸. The legal action alleged that White publicly attacked her integrity and contributed to her loss of employment following her issuance of a memo regarding county spending during Hurricane Helene ⁸.

In December 2025, Sheriff White posted on social media expressing frustration regarding a suspect who had been released from prison prior to an incident in which a deputy was shot ⁹. In the post, White stated that the suspect "has attempted to kill in the past" and that only "God’s intervention" prevented a fatality during the December 19 shooting ⁹.

Sheriff White has publicly criticized county administration, specifically describing bureaucratic obstacles as "red tape" that hindered hurricane relief efforts ¹³. These comments were directed at the county manager's office in the context of disaster response coordination ¹³.

Sources