2026 North Carolina General Election

Sheriff Kimbrough was born and raised in Forsyth County, graduated from North Forsyth High School, and later earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from High Point University in 1991. Kimbrough then earned his Master’s degree in Leadership from Piedmont International University in 2020. In May 2023, Kimbrough received his Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Carolina University.

Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr.

Bobby F. Kimbrough was born and raised in Forsyth County. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from High Point University and a master's degree in leadership from Piedmont International University.

Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr. - Forsyth County, North Carolina

Kimbrough began his law enforcement career in 1984 as a Police Officer for the Winston-Salem Police Department. In 1987, he became an Arson Investigator with the Winston-Salem Fire Department while serving in the role of Assistant Fire Marshal. He then moved to work with high-risk offenders at the North Carolina Department of Probation and Parole. From 1995 to 2016, Kimbrough served the United States Department of Justice as a Special Agent in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He specialized in investigating crimes against the government, including organized crime, money laundering, gang violence, and drug trafficking.

Bobby previously served as a special agent with the U.S. Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration. He also worked with high-risk offenders at the North Carolina Department of Probation and Parole; as an arson investigator and assistant fire marshal with the Winston-Salem Fire Department; and as a police officer with the Winston-Salem Police Department.

Bobby Kimbrough (Democratic Party) is the Forsyth County Sheriff in North Carolina. He assumed office in 2018. His current term ends on December 7, 2026.

2022 General election
Incumbent Bobby Kimbrough defeated Ernie Leyba in the general election for Forsyth County Sheriff on November 8, 2022.

2018 General election
Bobby Kimbrough defeated incumbent William Schatzman in the general election for Forsyth County Sheriff on November 6, 2018.

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby currently serves as Forsyth County sheriff. He was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

Bobby Kimbrough - Ballotpedia

As the first African-American Sheriff of Forsyth County, Sheriff Kimbrough has worked to improve the relationship between the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the community, advancing technology, and enhancing the work already being done by the team members at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Technological advances have included updates to the Real Time Intelligence Center, known as RTIC, as well as optimized deputy safety with Axon technology. Kimbrough led the implementation of “Surviving the Shield,” a partnership with Novant Health that supports the mental health of deputies.

Technological advances have included updates to the Real Time Intelligence Center, known as RTIC, as well as optimized deputy safety with Axon technology. Kimbrough led the implementation of “Surviving the Shield,” a partnership with Novant Health that supports the mental health of deputies. He also led the agency to partner with Wake Forest University’s School of Professional Studies to create a Law Enforcement School of Executive Leadership for First Responders.

Kimbrough led the implementation of “Surviving the Shield,” a partnership with Novant Health that supports the mental health of deputies. He also led the agency to partner with Wake Forest University’s School of Professional Studies to create a Law Enforcement School of Executive Leadership for First Responders.

As sheriff, updated the Real Time Intelligence Center and used Axon technology to improve deputy safety.

As sheriff, implemented Surviving the Shield, a Novant Health partnership that supports deputies' mental health.

As sheriff, partnered with Wake Forest University to create an executive-leadership school for first responders.

Has worked to improve the relationship between the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the community, advancing technology, and enhancing the work already being done by the team members at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

- As sheriff, updated the Real Time Intelligence Center and used Axon technology to improve deputy safety.
- As sheriff, implemented Surviving the Shield, a Novant Health partnership that supports deputies' mental health.
- As sheriff, partnered with Wake Forest University to create an executive-leadership school for first responders.
- Has worked to improve the relationship between the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the community, advancing technology, and enhancing the work already being done by the team members at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

Public Safety

Kimbrough spoke softly as he addressed Neville's adult son Sean, telling him his father's death was not in vain.
He said it led to changes at the jail that include improved training and new ways that health care will be given to inmates. Kimbrough said he viewed the surveillance video and it made him cry.

On Eve Of Video Release, Sheriff Apologizes To John Neville's Family | 88.5 WFDD

Said changes to the jail after John Neville's death included improved training and new methods of providing health care to inmates.

- Said changes to the jail after John Neville's death included improved training and new methods of providing health care to inmates.

Jail Management

“We will work with ICE, but we will not be an extension of ICE doing roundups. As it relates to human trafficking and other crimes, yes. But we will not be an extension of immigration enforcement," Kimbrough said.

Forsyth County Sheriff Will Not Detain Federal Inmates for ICE

“If there is a warrant attached to that by a US judge or US magistrate, of course,” Kimbrough said. “That’s what we are saying. Because then you would have obey because it has authority then. It has authority because it’s been signed by our US judge and US magistrate.”

In 2019, said the sheriff's office would work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with crimes but would not conduct immigration-enforcement roundups; it would honor judicial warrants.

Founded Branded for Knowledge, a program focusing on strengthening, empowering, and encouraging individuals to reach their full potential.

- In 2019, said the sheriff's office would work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with crimes but would not conduct immigration-enforcement roundups; it would honor judicial warrants.
- Founded Branded for Knowledge, a program focusing on strengthening, empowering, and encouraging individuals to reach their full potential.

Criminal Justice

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Bobby F. Kimbrough

- As sheriff, implemented Surviving the Shield, a Novant Health partnership that supports deputies' mental health.
- As sheriff, partnered with Wake Forest University to create an executive-leadership school for first responders.

Bobby Kimbrough is from Forsyth County, North Carolina. He has a bachelor 27s degree in sociology from High Point University, a master 27s degree in leadership from Piedmont International University, and an honorary doctor of laws degree from Carolina University. He has seven sons.

Bobby is the sheriff of Forsyth County. He previously worked as a police officer for Winston-Salem, as well as for the North Carolina Department of Corrections and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Bobby is currently the Forsyth County Sheriff. He was first elected in 2018.

As of April 6, 2026, Bobby F. Kimbrough’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

My name is Ernie Leyba and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and why I would be grateful for your support in my upcoming campaign to become the next Sheriff of Forsyth County. I was born and raised in Southern California and attended parochial school for twelve years. I graduated from St. Catherine Laboure and Bishop Montgomery High School. It was these earlier years that I learned what it takes to succeed in both the elements of hard work and dedication. I carried these two qualities through El Camino College and Long Beach State University.

Ernie Leyba was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from St. Catherine Laboure and Bishop Montgomery High School, and later attended El Camino College and Long Beach State University. He is a single father who is raising his son in the community.

I have received many certifications as well for Police Law Institute, Advance Law Enforcement and awarded for most DWI arrest in a one-year time frame from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (M.A.D.D) I have served in the K-9 Unit as well and served as Deputy Sheriff in Forsyth County. I have also earned many recognitions through the Town of Kernersville Police and the City of Durham Police. In addition to these accomplishments, I also established and own my own Company.

Ernie has a professional background in law enforcement and private business. He completed the LAPD Academy while in college and went on to serve with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Newport Beach Police Department, working in units such as Street Patrol, CRASH, GANG, and Narcotics. After relocating to North Carolina, he served as a Deputy Sheriff and K-9 unit officer in Forsyth County.

Ernie Leyba - Ballotpedia

Ernie previously ran for Forsyth County Sheriff in the 2022 and 2018 elections and lost.


Plans to strengthen the sheriff's office's partnerships with school leaders and all county schools.

Supports improving departmental cooperation and rapport with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and other federal agencies.

Advocates for increasing street patrols to proactively deter criminals, reduce crime rates, and improve emergency response times.

Supports upgrading and expanding the School Resource Officer (SRO) programs to provide more officers for all county schools.

Supports restoring the department's Narcotics Division and the Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Division.

Advocates for establishing a specialized task force and collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies to combat illegal drugs, opioid abuse, and gang activity.

- Supports improving departmental cooperation and rapport with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and other federal agencies.
- Advocates for increasing street patrols to proactively deter criminals, reduce crime rates, and improve emergency response times.
- Supports upgrading and expanding the School Resource Officer (SRO) programs to provide more officers for all county schools.
- Supports restoring the department's Narcotics Division and the Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Division.
- Plans to strengthen the sheriff's office's partnerships with school leaders and all county schools.
- Advocates for establishing a specialized task force and collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies to combat illegal drugs, opioid abuse, and gang activity.

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THE DETENTION CENTER

The Detention center has been greatly affected from the high turnover rates. We need to focus on reducing high turnover rates of detention staff and personnel and refocus on recruiting and training. We also need to restore the Crime Scene Investigations and give back to the citizens of the county. Top investigators in the state will be another top priority of mine.

Prioritizes reducing turnover among detention staff through recruitment and training.

Advocates for focusing on providing sufficient training, and supplying necessary resources to detention center staff to improve facility conditions and staff morale.

Advocates for streamlining the intake process for arrestees so that arresting patrol officers can return to the streets more quickly.

- Prioritizes reducing turnover among detention staff through recruitment and training.
- Advocates for focusing on providing sufficient training, and supplying necessary resources to detention center staff to improve facility conditions and staff morale.
- Advocates for streamlining the intake process for arrestees so that arresting patrol officers can return to the streets more quickly.

Opposes nepotism and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.

- Opposes nepotism and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.

Ernie Leyba

- Plans to strengthen the sheriff's office's partnerships with school leaders and all county schools.
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- Prioritizes reducing turnover among detention staff through recruitment and training.

Ernie Leyba is from Southern California. He has an associate's degree from El Camino College and a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach. He is a single parent.

Ernie is a business owner. He previously worked as a deputy sheriff in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and served in police departments in Los Angeles, California, and other areas. 

Ernie has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including as a deputy sheriff in Forsyth County.

As of April 6, 2026, Ernie Leyba’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ernie is a Deputy Sheriff. He works at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. He previously worked at the Los Angeles Police Department and other municipal police departments in California.

- 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. 

Forsyth Sheriff

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Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice