2 candidates are tracked for Winnebago County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gary Caruana and Dominick Barcellona. Candidate information follows official Winnebago County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Republican incumbent Gary Caruana, seeking a fourth term, and independent candidate Dominick Barcellona, a retired Winnebago County Sheriff's Office deputy chief, appear on the ballot; no Democrat filed. Source: Winnebago County Clerk's official November 3, 2026 candidate list.
Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.
This race. Every voter in Winnebago County votes on this seat.
Illinois › Winnebago County › Winnebago County Sheriff
Republican
Per the campaign site.
Gary Caruana has served as Winnebago County Sheriff since 2014 (12 years) after 8 years as a sheriff's deputy, and previously spent 26 years at United Parcel Service in security and operations leadership, per Gary Caruana campaign site.
Independent
Per the campaign site.
Dominick Barcellona spent nearly 30 years with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, working in corrections, patrol and SWAT before retiring in 2023 at the rank of deputy chief, per Dominick Barcellona campaign site.
Who is running for Winnebago County Sheriff in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Winnebago County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gary Caruana and Dominick Barcellona. Candidate information follows official Winnebago County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Winnebago County Sheriff election in Illinois?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Winnebago County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Winnebago County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full Winnebago County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
29 tracked races in Winnebago County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.