{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nLeon Curtis Allen Jr. is a Republican candidate for Graham County Sheriff in the 2026 elections [1]. His 2026 bid marks his second run for the office [1]. He competed in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary [2].\n\nAllen has centered his campaign on faith, community belonging, and accountability to local residents [1]. He has stated: \"This county is my home. This is where I was born and raised, and you are the community where I truly feel a sense of belonging. I have spent a significant part of my life committed to serving you and I know firsthand the struggles and adversity that we must overcome\" [1].\n\n## Background and education\nAllen is a lifelong resident of Graham County, born and raised in the Robbinsville area [1].\n\n## Career\nAllen previously served as chief deputy of the Graham County Sheriff's Office [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Allen promises to be accountable to community \u2013 The Graham Star](https://www.grahamstar.com/local-news-newsletter/allen-promises-be-accountable-community)\n- [2] [Who Is Running for Prosecutor and Sheriff in North Carolina in 2026? \u2013 Bolts](https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/candidates-district-attorney-sheriff-north-carolina-2026/)\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","county":"graham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Graham County Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Leon","fullname":"Leon Curtis Allen JR","lastname":"Allen","middlename":"Curtis","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Graham County Sheriff","county":"graham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"graham","office_key":"county_sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"graham","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_sheriff","contest_title":"Graham County Sheriff","county":"graham","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":"graham","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":[]}],"suffix":"JR","terms":[],"token":"ce60ab3543fdb1e0"}