Harnett County, North Carolina

Harnett County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Harnett County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Reggie Watson and Aaron Meredith. Candidate information follows official Harnett County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Open seat: Sheriff Wayne Coats is retiring. Democrat Reggie Watson and Republican Aaron Meredith meet on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the NCSBE certified list and Sandhills News coverage of a July 16, 2026 candidate forum.

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 Harnett County votes on this seat.

North Carolina › Harnett County › Harnett County Sheriff

Reggie Watson

Democratic

Top priorities

Support deputies with proper training and fair pay
Build transparency and accountability into department leadership
Provide professional, respectful policing to residents

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Reggie Watson is a retired law enforcement officer with nearly 50 years of combined military and civilian service, including more than 21 years as an Army Military Police officer, a Town of Spring Lake police officer, an NC DMV enforcement officer and instructor, an NC State Trooper, and a security forces officer at Womack Army Medical Center, per his campaign site. He retired for the third time in May 2025 and previously ran for sheriff in 2022, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Aaron Meredith

Republican

Top priorities

Pair traditional values with new ideas for running the department
Stay directly connected to the community he has served for 28 years

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Aaron Meredith has spent 28 years with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office and currently oversees the county's detention center, per Sandhills News. His campaign centers on continuing that career of service to Harnett County residents, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotNorth Carolina Senate District 12

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Harnett County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Harnett 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 Harnett 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 Harnett County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Harnett County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

North Carolina House District 6 North Carolina House District 53 North Carolina District Court Judge, District 12, Seat 1 See all 13 Harnett County races

Candidate profiles

Reggie Watson, full profile Aaron Meredith, full profile Official North Carolina election office