Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe Files to Seek Second Term
Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe filed paperwork on December 4 to run for a second term, notifying the Wake County Board of Elections and posting the announcement on social media. The move sets the tone for the 2026 sheriff election cycle in the Triangle, with implications for public safety priorities, jail management, and interagency cooperation that matter to local residents.
Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe submitted official paperwork on December 4 to enter the 2026 race for a second term, notifying the Wake County Board of Elections and sharing the announcement on social media. Rowe, first elected sheriff in 2022, brings nearly 40 years of service within the Wake County Sheriff’s Office to the campaign, a career that began when he joined the office as a deputy in 1985.
Rowe’s filing comes as sheriffs across the Triangle begin to solidify their plans for the next election cycle. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead also filed for another term, seeking a third term in his county. These filings mark the start of a season of local contests that will determine leadership across neighboring law enforcement agencies and shape regional approaches to public safety.
For Wake County residents the announcement signals continuity in leadership at a time when sheriffs play key roles beyond street patrols. The sheriff’s office manages the county jail, oversees court security, and coordinates with municipal police departments and state agencies. Decisions made by the office influence budgets, inmate services, and community policing strategies, all of which affect everyday life for residents and local governments.
The re election bid also frames debates around accountability and community trust that often accompany sheriff races. Voters will have the opportunity to evaluate Rowe’s record since 2022, consider how his long tenure in the office has informed policy and practice, and weigh proposals from any challengers as they emerge. Neighboring filings, including the one by Sheriff Birkhead, underscore that electing sheriffs in the Triangle will be a regional story that could affect cross county collaboration on crime prevention and crisis response.
As the 2026 cycle progresses, Wake County voters can expect further announcements and filings. The campaign will likely draw attention to operational priorities within the sheriff’s office, budgetary oversight from county leaders, and the broader public safety concerns that residents have raised in recent years.
