Cash On Hand, Spending Patterns Differ Sharply In Sheriff Campaign Reports

JOHNSTON COUNTY — Newly filed campaign finance reports ending December 31, 2025 show a significant fundraising and cash-on-hand advantage for incumbent Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell over Republican challenger Randy Ackley.

According to filings submitted to the State Board of Elections, Sheriff Bizzell reported $91,590 in contributions from individuals during the reporting period, along with $3,000 received from a political action committee, from the Committee To Elect Wayne Coats Sheriff. (Coats is the sheriff in neighboring Harnett County. He is not seeking reelection in 2026.)

The Bizzell campaign began the period with $4,872.58 cash on hand.

Bizzell’s campaign reported total expenditures of $9,142.36, leaving $90,320.22 cash on hand at the close of the reporting period.

Among the largest reported donors to Bizzell’s campaign were attorney Kelly Daughtry of Smithfield, developer Rebecca Flowers of Clayton, and Rebecca Richardson of Kenly, each contributing $5,000. Campaign spending included $4,221.25 paid to SpeedySigns of Florida for printing services.

Republican challenger Randy Ackley reported significantly lower fundraising totals but higher spending during the same period. Ackley’s campaign began with $1,563.49 cash on hand and reported $20,455.26 in contributions from individual donors. The filing also shows Ackley personally loaned his campaign $8,000, bringing total receipts to $29,903.26.

Ackley reported operating expenses totaling $58,819.78 and overall expenditures of $61,468.87. The campaign closed the reporting period with a negative cash balance of -$31,565.61.

Ackley’s largest contributors included developer Rebecca Flowers, who also contributed to Bizzell’s campaign, at $5,000, and Beverly Southerland of Clayton at $2,600.

The largest expense reported by Ackley’s campaign was $31,056.40 paid to Cumulus in Raleigh for political consulting services. Additional expenses included $5,100.18 paid to 231 Market Street Classic Printing for printing services.

Ackley, a former Johnston County sheriff’s detective is challenging incumbent Sheriff Bizzell in the March 3 Republican primary. There is no Democratic opposition for the seat in November.

The year-end filings provide a snapshot of fundraising and spending activity in one of the most closely watched political races in Johnston County.