Charles Stuart Blackwood

Current office and 2026 campaign

As of 2026, Charles Blackwood serves as Sheriff of Orange County, North Carolina, having won the Democratic primary for a fourth term with 58.41% of the vote over challenger David LaBarre ¹³. He will appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot ⁶¹³. Blackwood's campaign emphasizes "institutional knowledge" and accountability, citing his tenure as key to continuity in the office ⁴¹⁵.

In March 2025, Governor Josh Stein appointed Blackwood to chair the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission ^1101112. He also became President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association in 2025 ⁵⁹.

Background and education

Blackwood is a 45-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff's Office, according to his campaign biography ². He began his law-enforcement career as a patrol deputy in 1980 and was later promoted to Captain of Services and Major of Operations before his first election as sheriff ¹³. He is featured as a public-safety profile subject on the website of Wake Forest University's School of Professional Studies ⁷; the page does not describe a specific faculty or advisory-board title for him.

Career

Before and during his time as sheriff, Blackwood rose through the ranks of the Orange County Sheriff's Office over a 45-year career, per his campaign's own account ²¹³. He was elected President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association in 2025 ⁵⁹ and, separately, was appointed by Governor Stein to chair the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission the same year ^1101112. In a February 2026 interview, Blackwood discussed his platform and record as he sought re-election ⁸.

Office history

Blackwood was first elected Orange County Sheriff in 2014, narrowly defeating David Caldwell ¹³. He won a second term in 2018 after defeating Tony White in the Democratic primary ¹³, and ran unopposed for a third term in 2022 ¹³. In the 2026 Democratic primary, he defeated David LaBarre with 58.41% of the vote, securing a fourth term ⁶¹³.

Legislative record and accomplishments

As county sheriff, Blackwood does not sponsor legislation or cast votes in the North Carolina General Assembly; his policy influence runs through executive leadership and the advisory roles described above. As President of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, he leads the state's primary sheriffs' advocacy organization ⁵⁹¹⁴. He has emphasized "institutional knowledge" and accountability as central to his approach to public safety and community trust ⁴¹⁵.

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