LaRue Windham is from Gray’s Creek, North Carolina. He attended the University of Mount Olive and the FBI National Academy. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Mount Olive. He lives with his son in Gray’s Creek.

Sheriff Ennis Wright faces challenge from Republican LaRue ...

LaRue is a probation and parole officer. He works at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Adult Corrections and Juvenile Justice. He previously worked as a deputy operations commander for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office from 1988 to 2008.

Voter Guide: Meet candidates for Cumberland County sheriff

LaRue Windham previously ran for Cumberland County Sheriff but did not win.

LaRue previously ran for Cumberland County Sheriff but did not win.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Supports protecting education and "maintaining safe school environments."

Believes in "keeping neighborhoods and local businesses safe."

Wants to build stronger community involvement and partnerships.

Promises to fight street drugs and target drug traffickers.

Advocates for increasing high-profile patrols to reduce property crime.

Believes in combating human sex trafficking and protecting victims.

- Supports protecting education and "maintaining safe school environments."
- Believes in "keeping neighborhoods and local businesses safe."
- Wants to build stronger community involvement and partnerships.
- Promises to fight street drugs and target drug traffickers.
- Advocates for increasing high-profile patrols to reduce property crime.
- Believes in combating human sex trafficking and protecting victims.

Public Safety

As of January 5, 2026, LaRue Windham’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jail Management

Seeks to ensure crime victims are treated with respect, compassion and empathy.

- Seeks to ensure crime victims are treated with respect, compassion and empathy.

Criminal Justice

LinkedIn

Facebook

LaRue Windham

LaRue Windham has a bachelors degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Mount Olive. He lives in Gray's Creek and has a son.

LaRue is a probation and parole officer for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Division of Adult Corrections and Juvenile Justice. He previously worked as a deputy operations commander for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office from 1988 until 2008. He also worked for the North Carolina Department of Correction in a special operations unit and served as the training coordinator at the Morrison Correctional Institution in Richmond County. 

LaRue previously ran for Cumberland County sheriff in 2022 but did not win.

LaRue is from Gray’s Creek, North Carolina. He attended the University of Mount Olive and the FBI National Academy. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Mount Olive. He lives with his son, Cuyler, in Gray’s Creek.

"Not one of them found any wrongdoing," Windham said "The deputies I’ve spoken with say they aren’t sure who they can talk to without retribution. They don’t feel like they have backing,” he said "I'm a law enforcement officer, and we are going to enforce the law. You can’t do that if your hands are tied. It’s about being proactive, not reactive," Windham said "None of us have heard about drug-bust arrests, contraband being found. … We need regular press conferences to keep people informed," Windham said "Each high school has a school resource officer. It should be determined by population. We have to have more of a presence within the schools," Windham said "I’m definitely disappointed,’’ Windham said Tuesday night. “We thought we had a chance to pull this off, but I’d like to give praise and thanks to my supporters. I have some of the best supporters in Cumberland County. Congratulations to Wright and I hope things start to improve in the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office" "It is what it is," Windham said when reached by phone Tuesday night. "We've come up short. We tried"

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Troy A. McDuffie

- The sheriff is responsible for enforcing the law, managing security in jails and courtrooms. They also oversee daily conditions of the jail and inmates in custody and serve legal documents such as warrants and eviction notices. Their ultimate responsibility is to protect the community. 

Responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing jails. 