Buncombe County, North Carolina

Buncombe County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Buncombe County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Quentin Miller and Gary Parris. Candidate information follows official Buncombe County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Gary Parris won the March 3 Republican contest with 75 percent, per the state results archive.

What this office does

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 Buncombe County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, Quentin Miller, is on the ballot.

North Carolina › Buncombe County › Buncombe County Sheriff

Quentin Miller

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

21st century policing
Expanding the jail's medication-assisted treatment program
Deputy pay tied to training

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Quentin Miller has been Buncombe County's sheriff since December 2018, the county's first African-American sheriff, and is seeking a third term, per the sheriff's office site. He served 11 years as a U.S. Army military police officer and was an original member of the Asheville Police Department's community policing unit.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Gary Parris

Republican

Top priorities

Rebuilding staffing and retention
A fully staffed jail
Countywide patrol coverage and a citizens academy

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Gary Parris is a retired Navy senior chief with 22 years in cryptology and naval intelligence, a former Buncombe County deputy sheriff, and a criminal justice educator with a master's in strategic intelligence and an MPA, per his campaign site and Mountain Xpress.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotBuncombe County Clerk of Superior Court

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Buncombe County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Buncombe County Sheriff election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Buncombe 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Buncombe County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Buncombe County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Buncombe County ballot

17 tracked races in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Buncombe Commission District 1 Buncombe Commission District 2 Buncombe Commission District 3 See all 17 Buncombe County races

Candidate profiles

Quentin Miller, full profile Gary Parris, full profile Official North Carolina election office