As Alamance County and the towns within prepare for municipal elections on Nov. 4, Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson sets his sights on his seventh term in the position, running for reelection in North Carolina primary elections March 3, 2026.

First elected as sheriff in 2002, Johnson has now served 23 years in the position. As the 75-year-old incumbent prepares to run for his seventh term, he is potentially facing opposition from his own party — a challenge he hasn’t faced since his very first election.

Two potential candidates, Dana Byrd Pasour and Billy Clayton, are attempting to challenge Johnson’s seventh run at the role, according to Alamance News. Both potential challengers filed campaign committees, legal entities established by political candidates to raise and spend money on their behalf during an election.

While opponents are not set in stone — with filing for the North Carolina primary starting on Dec. 1, 2025 — Johnson said he is prepared for whatever comes from the upcoming election.

“Anybody has the right, if they’re not a convicted felon, to file for sheriff on either Independent, Democrat or Republican,” Johnson said. “I hope the people of Alamance County and the citizens will look at what we have accomplished here during my tenure as sheriff.”

In Johnson’s bid for the sheriff role in 2022, he obtained 58.8% of the vote against Democrat candidate Kelly White. Associate professor of political science and public policy Kaye Usry said in her experience multiple candidates within the same party running against each other at the local level is unusual.

“Typically, there are not very many candidates for these local offices, and often they’re not even contested,” Usry said. “It is interesting and noteworthy that two different people have publicly stated their intentions to run for the Republican nomination.”

While Usry deemed the current state of the race for Alamance County Sheriff as unusual, she also said it’s difficult to remain informed about local candidates.

“Increasingly, politics is nationalized,” Usry said. “The things that are lighting up national politics are the way local people are thinking about politics. Even when there are local issues, they’re just not aware of it. Local news is dying. It’s not easy to be informed about your local candidates.”

Johnson said throughout his time as sheriff, the office has made strides in technological advancements. In 2018, the office began using drones for search and rescue and reconnaissance missions.

In addition to technological advancements, Johnson said that during his time as sheriff, the Alamance County sheriff ’s office has developed a working relationship with other agencies across the state, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security. 

Johnson has also partnered with Immigration Customs and Enforcement for over 10 years.

Johnson’ s time as sheriff has also been marked with numerous lawsuits. This includes the United States Department of Justice suing the Alamance County Sheriff ’s Office for racial profiling in 2012, which was later dropped in 2015. Johnson also settled another lawsuit in 2023 after two parties sued him for defamation and arrest without probable cause.

Regardless of what has occurred throughout his time as sheriff, Johnson said the reason why he ran for office in the first place — and why he continues to do so — is for the people of Alamance County.

“I love Alamance County, the people here,” Johnson said. “Alamance County, in my opinion, is one of the best counties in the state. And I wanted to see law enforcement continue to progress and work for the future.”

While Alamance County prepares for the upcoming municipal elections and as the filing date for the North Carolina primary elections nears, Usry said the power in this situation falls to the people.

“It’s up to all of us to decide whether we want him to win or not,” Usry said.