In addition to the dramatic and closer races on the ballot earlier this week, there were several unopposed elections in Orange County at the local government level. Among those races was one for the sheriff’s office.
Without drawing an opponent in either the primary or general election, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood was elected to his third term. The 2022 cycle was the first time in Blackwood’s tenure that he did not have to run against anyone else for sheriff of Orange County. In 2014, he earned a tight win against David Caldwell for his first term and handily won a 2018 Democratic primary against Tony White for his second.
After the vote totals began to come in on Tuesday, Blackwood said he was still thankful for the voters’ support – despite the lack of an opponent.
“I’m just so proud to be the person that’s in the seat at this time and to be able to serve,” the sheriff said. “I don’t think of myself as a politician, I think of myself as a servant, and every day when I go to work, my goal is to make sure I live up to that [standard].”
Blackwood said there are many things different in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office since taking the role eight years ago. He cited better communication with neighboring law enforcement and more partnerships community organizations as key improvements. But Blackwood said it’s the treatment of his deputies and staff that really stands out.
“Looking after the wellness of the officers and deputies that are out there taking care of the community, that’s one of the things I’m most proud of,” he said. “Our training, the equipment the officers have, the pay scale – the county commissioners and county manager have been so good to me, working with me to make sure that we’re compensating our employees adequately for the job that we’re asking them to do every day.”
Another change for Blackwood individually happened a few months ago: he was elected as president of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association. The role means more responsibility and leadership on a statewide level, with Blackwood describing the role as trying to help other county sheriff departments get resources to best address their local needs.
The sheriff maintains, however, that the position isn’t turning him away from day-to-day duties here in Orange County. He said after 42 years in law enforcement, he’s trying to use his experience to establish good practices within his office that will carry over for future sheriffs and deputies.
Blackwood also said another local long-term goal is continuing to work with residents to create positive relationships – whether on a personal or organizational level.
“There’s still a tremendous amount of folks in the community that don’t either trust us, don’t have faith in us,” said the sheriff. “I’d like to make sure that we work hard to remind that ‘you might not like us, but we’re here to help you.’ You’re never going to make everyone happy, but you’ve got to do your job correctly and take care of the people who put you [in this position].”
“We judge ourselves by our intensions, others judge us by our outcomes,” Blackwood added. “I want to make sure our outcomes fulfill what others expect of me.”
One side effect of no opponent in this election cycle, according to Blackwood, was less built-in time to collect feedback on his office’s work and connect directly with voters. But the sheriff said that isn’t going to stop him from each day to do exactly that.
“When you’re unopposed, you’ve got to make up that ground [in reaching residents],” he said. “I’m just really grateful for the people that did come out and vote. It’s clear they didn’t forget about their sheriff, and I promise not to forget about them.”
Blackwood’s term as Orange County Sheriff is now set to last through the end of 2026.
For more results in local 2022 elections, visit Chapelboro’s Results page.
Photo via Travis Long/News & Observer.
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