During this local election season, 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro spoke with candidates for races representing Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and Pittsboro. Each answered the same set of questions regarding their decision to run for elected office, their thoughts on pressing community issues and what they wish for residents to think of when voting this fall. Their answers (lightly edited for clarity and brevity) are shared here, as well as links to their respective campaign websites or pages. If a candidate did not respond or chose not to speak with 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro, it will be designated with no audio. The order of candidates below is in the alphabetical order of their last names.
After running unopposed in 2022, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood will once again face competition in the Democratic primary. The 45-year veteran of the local sheriff’s office, who is seeking re-election to a fourth consecutive four-year term, is facing off against David LaBarre, who works as the director of planning and development at the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. While LaBarre’s two decades in law enforcement have been spent across the county lines and working for the FBI’s Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force, he’s no stranger to the Orange County community having lived there with his family for years and been involved with the Orange County Democratic Party. Both men are running on campaigns of stabilizing and supporting the sheriff’s office’s workforce while exploring different ways to enhance its resources and partnerships with the community for the sake of public safety. Whoever emerges as the winner in March will not face any challengers on November’s general ballot — setting up for a near-certain election.
97.9 The Hill spoke with each candidate, asking these questions that are reflected in the recorded responses:
- Why were you inspired to join this race?
- What are the top three issues your campaign is built on?
- What do you believe sets you apart from your opponent in this election?
- What is your philosophy around the role of local law enforcement when we see such impunity granted to federal officers and controversy around their actions?
- What are some examples of things you’re proud the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has done in recent years? What are examples of areas or aspects of the job where you believe more work is needed?
- When voters see your name on the ballot, what do you want them to think of?
Orange County Sheriff, Democratic Primary
Photo via Committee to Re-Elect Charles Blackwood Sheriff
Photo via Committee to Elect David LaBarre for Sheriff
Early voting in Orange County for the 2026 primary election runs from Thursday, Feb. 12 to Saturday, Feb. 28 offering an additional to register to vote for anyone who misses the Feb. 9 deadline. Primary Election Day itself is Tuesday, March 3, while the general election will end on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
More of the 2026 Candidate Introductions for local elections can be found on Chapelboro’s Local Elections page as they are published.
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