Chad Everette Hawkins

Current office and 2026 campaign

Chad Hawkins is the Republican Sheriff of Gaston County, North Carolina, seeking a second term in 2026 ¹³. He won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary against Robert "Robbie" Waldrop by more than five percentage points and is running unopposed in the November 3, 2026 general election ¹.

Career

Hawkins worked in law enforcement in Gaston County before being elected sheriff ². Published sources reviewed for this bio do not establish his specific prior agencies, years of service, or educational background beyond what is noted below — several web profiles bearing his name (including a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor's profile citing an Iowa/Illinois background) do not clearly match this Chad Hawkins and were not used.

Office history

Hawkins was sworn in as Gaston County Sheriff in December 2022, succeeding retiring Sheriff Alan Cloninger ². He is a member of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association ³. His current term runs through January 3, 2028 ³⁴.

Documented disputes and controversies

During the 2026 Republican primary campaign, opponent Robert "Robbie" Waldrop alleged at a January 29, 2026 debate that Hawkins had used taxpayer funds for campaign expenses; county records and disclosure documents did not support the claim, according to reporting ¹. Hawkins sued Waldrop over the statements, and Endgame Consulting — a marketing firm retained by both Hawkins' campaign and the Sheriff's Office — filed a separate suit against Waldrop over the same allegations ¹.

Sources