Mecklenburg County Sheriff race heats up as new challenger enters the race

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The race for Mecklenburg County Sheriff is officially heating up as Sergeant Ricky Robbins throws his hat in the ring this week.

Robbins is the latest candidate to challenge current Sheriff Garry McFadden in next year’s election. A veteran with over 30 years in law enforcement, Robbins is kicking off his campaign with a community celebration on Tuesday, July 15, at the Mint Museum Randolph in Charlotte.

The event promises to bring together a mix of community leaders, elected officials, and even a few faces from the Carolina Panthers, including Luke Kuechly and Chuba Hubbard.

“This campaign is about people, protecting families, jail reform, and making sure our Sheriff’s Office reflects the values and diversity of the communities we serve,” Robbins said in a released statement on Wednesday.

Robbins joins Antwain Nance, a former detention officer, as the second known challenger to Sheriff McFadden.

“That white cracker captain is better than the other seven captains upstairs.” 

Sheriff McFadden, who has held the office since 2018, is seeking re-election as his current term ends in December 2026. But his recent leadership has faced mounting scrutiny.

Back in November 2024, McFadden found himself in hot water after recordings surfaced of him allegedly using racially charged language to describe staff members.

The recordings, said to have been made during employee meetings in 2021, were brought to light by former Chief Deputy Kevin Canty, who resigned from the department with a scathing letter accusing McFadden of running a “third-world dictatorship.”

Among Canty’s claims were that McFadden berated staff publicly and made inappropriate, racially insensitive comments, including one instance where McFadden allegedly said, “That white cracker captain is better than the other seven captains upstairs.” In another recording, he reportedly referred to a former deputy using a racial slur.

“I’m not perfect, and I will make mistakes.”

McFadden responded to the controversy with a public apology in a video statement, saying, “It doesn’t matter who recorded it, or how many years ago it was recorded; today I want to apologize for that language. Held to a higher standard, that’s the office of the sheriff, but you must understand that I am human, I’m not perfect, and I will make mistakes.”

The fallout also led to a shake-up within the sheriff’s office, with two staff members being fired and several roles restructured.

What’s next?

While McFadden has not publicly commented on his new opponents, Robbins’ entrance into the race signals a shift in public interest, from concerns about leadership style and accountability to broader questions about the direction of the sheriff’s office.

With multiple candidates in the race and growing attention on the office, Mecklenburg County voters can expect a competitive election season.