{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nAnthony \"Tony\" Joseph James (Republican) ran for Duplin County, NC Sheriff in the 2026 primary, one of three Republicans challenging incumbent Sheriff Stratton Stokes.\n\nJames emphasized a community-outreach approach to law enforcement, particularly programs connecting youth with law enforcement officers.\n\n## Career\nJames began his law enforcement career in 2003 as a road deputy with the Duplin County Sheriff's Office. He advanced to detective before leaving full-time employment in 2008, then served in the reserves for several years. As a detective, he taught Gang Awareness programs to community groups and schools throughout Duplin County. He later worked in agriculture, operating a hog farm and working full-time for a family corn-seed company.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tony James Plans to Run for County Sheriff \u2013 The Daily Reflector](https://www.reflector.com/duplin/news/local/tony-james-plans-to-for-county-sheriff-for-2026-term/article_974b46fa-f09f-11ef-9e63-47920ef9807e.html)\n- [2] [Meet Your Duplin County Candidates 2026 \u2013 WCTI12](https://wcti12.com/elections/meet-your-duplin-county-candidates-for-the-2026-election)\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"duplin","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Duplin County Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Anthony","fullname":"Anthony Joseph James","lastname":"James","middlename":"Joseph","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Duplin County Sheriff","county":"duplin","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"duplin","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"duplin","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Duplin County Sheriff","county":"duplin","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"duplin","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":[]}],"terms":[],"token":"a7981b212c49f3d6"}