{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nGary Keith Parris is a Republican candidate running for Buncombe County Sheriff in North Carolina [1]. A lifelong native of Buncombe County who grew up in the French Broad community of Alexander, North Carolina, Parris served 22 years in the United States Navy as a cryptology and naval intelligence officer [2][3][8]. He officially filed to run for the office on December 2, 2025 [8].\n\nParris secured the Republican nomination in the primary election, which was projected to be won by him in early March 2026 [4]. This result sets up a general election contest against the Democratic incumbent, Sheriff Quentin Miller, who is seeking a third term [6][9]. The general election is scheduled for November 2026 [6].\n\nParris\u2019s campaign, branded as \"Parris for Safety,\" emphasizes his military background and local roots [2]. His platform focuses on protecting community safety, with the campaign slogan \"Protect What Matters\" [2]. The campaign maintains a headquarters in Arden, North Carolina, and lists accessibility and public safety experience as key pillars of his candidacy [2][8].\n\n## Background and education\n\nGary Keith Parris is a native of Buncombe County, North Carolina, who grew up in the French Broad community in Alexander, NC [3]. He was raised by his adopted parents, Dennis and Rhea Parris [3]. His upbringing was shaped by a service-oriented family environment and strong faith [2].\n\nParris served in the United States Navy for 22 years as a cryptology and naval intelligence officer before retiring from military service [3][8]. Specific details regarding his civilian education, such as schools attended or degrees earned, are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nGary Keith Parris is a Buncombe County native who grew up in the French Broad community of Alexander, North Carolina, with his adopted parents, Dennis and Rhea Parris [3]. He served in the United States Navy for 22 years as a cryptology and naval intelligence officer [8]. Following his military service, he worked as a former Naval Intelligence officer before entering public life [5].\n\nParris self-describes as having \"mountain roots\" and a background shaped by a service-oriented upbringing, strong faith, and deep love for the mountains [2]. He is a lifelong resident of Buncombe County who has filed to run for office in the region [8].\n\n## Office history\n\nGary Parris served in the United States Navy for 22 years, retiring as a cryptology and naval intelligence officer [3][8]. He self-describes his background as that of a lifelong Buncombe County native who grew up in the French Broad community in Alexander, North Carolina [2][3].\n\nParris filed to run for Buncombe County Sheriff on December 2, 2025 [8]. He competed in the Republican primary election and was projected to win the nomination, setting up a general election contest against Democratic incumbent Quentin Miller [4][6][7]. As of May 12, 2026, the November 2026 general election has not yet occurred [9].\n\n## Family\n\nGary Parris is a lifelong Buncombe County native who grew up in the French Broad community in Alexander, North Carolina [3]. He was raised by his adopted parents, Dennis and Rhea Parris [3]. His father was known throughout churches in Western North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia for teaching unique \"shaped\" lessons [3]. Parris self-describes as being shaped by a service-oriented upbringing, strong faith, and a deep love for the mountains [2].\n\nThe provided sources do not contain specific information regarding his spouse or children.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Gary Parris (Buncombe County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Parris_(Buncombe_County_Sheriff,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n[2] [Parris for Safety - Protect What Matters - Buncombe County 2026](https://parrisforsafety.com/)\n[3] [About Gary - Parris for Safety](https://parrisforsafety.com/about-us/)\n[4] [Gary Parris is projected to win the GOP nomination for ...](https://www.facebook.com/News13/posts/gary-parris-is-projected-to-win-the-gop-nomination-for-buncombe-county-sheriff-s/1226525186350879/)\n[5] [Former Navy intelligence officer announces bid for Buncombe County sheriff - Asheville's 828 News NOW](https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-former-navy-intelligence-officer-announces-bid-for-buncombe-county-sheriff/)\n[6] [Parris to face Sheriff Miller in November after projected primary election win](https://wlos.com/news/local/gary-parris-wins-gop-nomination-buncombe-county-sheriff-face-democratic-incumbent-quentin-miller-november-general)\n[7] [Parris wins primary, will face Quentin Miller for Buncombe County sheriff - AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/parris-wins-primary-face-quentin-030640885.html)\n[8] [Former Naval Intelligence Officer Files for Buncombe County Sheriff | Prism News](https://www.prismedia.ai/news/former-naval-intelligence-officer-files-for-buncombe-county-sheriff)\n[9] [Sheriff Quentin Miller seeks third term in office, will face challenger Gary Parris](https://wlos.com/news/local/buncombe-county-sheriff-quentin-miller-seeks-third-term-office-election-office-campaign-community-gary-parris-candidates-2026)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"buncombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Buncombe County Sheriff"},{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"buncombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Buncombe County Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Gary","fullname":"Gary Keith Parris","lastname":"Parris","middlename":"Keith","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Buncombe County Sheriff","county":"buncombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"buncombe","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Buncombe County Sheriff","county":"buncombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"buncombe","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"buncombe","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Buncombe County Sheriff","county":"buncombe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"buncombe","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":[]}],"summary":"Gary Keith Parris, a retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer and Buncombe County native, won the 2026 GOP primary for Sheriff against Victor Vic Morman to face incumbent Quentin Miller.","terms":[],"token":"cb061dc8fa3ef65a"}