2026 North Carolina General Election

== Biography ==
Buddy Harwood is a resident of Madison County, North Carolina. He has a background in law enforcement and has served in various capacities within the sheriff's department.

Buddy Harwood (Madison County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate 2026)

Buddy Harwood has worked in law enforcement and served in various capacities within the sheriff's department.

Buddy Harwood (Madison County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate ...

Sheriff's Office

Sheriff: Buddy Harwood

Phone: 828-649-2721

Sheriff's Office | Madison County, North Carolina

Office Holder/Candidate Profile
Buddy Harwood

Currently holds the office of Madison County Sheriff until December 31, 2026.

Candidate for Madison County Sheriff in 2026 North Carolina General Election.

Buddy Harwood | BallotReady

Buddy currently serves as Madison County sheriff.

Sheriff's Office - Madison County

Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood announced details of the plan during a press conference in June.

During the press conference, Harwood argued that we’ve seen that a deputy armed with a handgun is not always enough to stop certain situations. Because of this, Harwood said he decided to arm every school resource officer with an AR-15 rifle with optics and accessories.

According to Harwood, all the rifles and accessories were bought using money donated by residents in Madison County.

NC sheriff's office puts AR-15s in schools to prepare for emergencies

Said the Madison County Sheriff's Office would stop using Facebook.

As sheriff, armed every school resource officer with AR-15 rifles equipped with optics and accessories.

- As sheriff, armed every school resource officer with AR-15 rifles equipped with optics and accessories.

Public Safety

As of April 6, 2026, Buddy Harwood did not have a website or any information online.

Jail Management

Criminal Justice

Facebook

Buddy Harwood

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

Instagram

Buddy previously ran for Madison County Sheriff in 2022.

Buddy previously ran for Madison County sheriff in 2022.

Buddy previously served as the Madison County sheriff.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Madison County Sheriff/Clerk of Superior Court

Incumbent Clerk of Superior Court Mark Cody, of Marshall, will run unopposed.

Tim Buckner, of Marshall, and Robin Lyles, of Mars Hill, will oppose Harwood in the sheriff race from the Republican side. Jim Cruzan, a Democrat and Mars Hill resident who was fired by Harwood in 2020 from his position as a courthouse deputy after a viral video depicting him in a confrontation while at work, will also vie for sheriff.

4 newcomers challenge 3 incumbents for Madison County commissioners

Madison County sheriff race: Harwood, Lyles win primaries

Republican primary election
Republican primary for Madison County Sheriff

Tim Buckner and Robin Lyles ran in the Republican primary for Madison County Sheriff on May 17, 2022.

Robin Lyles (Madison County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate 2022)

On the Republican side, Robin Lyles received 71% of the vote to defeat Tim Buckner. 

Lyles' victory will pit him in a matchup with Harwood in November.

Madison County sheriff race: Harwood, Lyles win primaries to set up November clash

As of April 6, 2026, Robin Lyles did not have a website or any information online.

Robin Lyles

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

Robin Lyles is from Mars Hill, North Carolina.

Robin Lyles previously ran for Madison County Sheriff in 2022 and did not win.

Sahid Burgos

- 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. 

Madison Sheriff

Candidates (2)

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Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice