Randy Ackley Launches Bid For Johnston County Sheriff
JOHNSTON COUNTY — Randy Ackley, a 23-year law enforcement veteran and former detective with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, filed Wednesday afternoon to run for sheriff in the 2026 Republican primary.
Ackley announced his candidacy earlier this year. “It’s time for new leadership and a new direction in the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. We need a Sheriff who will modernize the agency and focus on improving public safety across the county.”
His campaign platform includes increasing the number of deputies on patrol, expanding in-service training programs, restoring the Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit and drug interdiction team, and reinstating a domestic violence task force. He also emphasizes the need to use technology to combat fraud affecting businesses and older residents.
Ackley said he wants to bring renewed focus to the agency. “Law enforcement is a passion. I will bring a new energy, a new direction, and a new leadership team to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “We need a Sheriff who will look to the future and will be an advocate for efficient, effective law enforcement services across our county.”
Ackley began his law enforcement career after graduating from the Basic Law Enforcement Training program at Johnston Community College in 2002. He has served as a patrol officer, property crimes detective and major crimes investigator, earning several awards from the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office.
A resident of Wilson’s Mills, Ackley lives with his wife, Jaime, and their two teenage sons.
Mr. Ackley will challenge incumbent Sheriff Steve Bizzell. The filing period remains open through noon Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. The Republican Primary for Johnston County Sheriff will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
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This story has been updated to correct the filing date
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23 Comments
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Sorry but Steve Bizzell does a great job and he will get my vote, and many others I believe. “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it,” as my Granny used to say. He fights drugs in our county. He cares about all the people and their safety.
Can you prove what he has done? I have lived in this county for 6 years. I deal with some of the worst people that the JCSO are constantly getting called to. Nothing has changed. We need change.
❤️❤️❤️
Not really drugs are still rampant and it’s time for a change
As far as I am concerned, Sheriff Bizzell has been an excellent Sheriff. His deputies and staff always present themselves in a professional manner and he truly cares about our County. Sheriff Bizzell will have my vote.
F*** Ackley! He has just pushed cases here lately trying to make a name for himself! He needs to leave this to the big dogs and let the real man run this show! Bizzell is doing a fine job. Like my friend above stated if it’s not broken why fix it! He will put any and everyone behind bars to make a name for himself we don’t need that. We need just the bad behind bars not everyone brought before you is a criminal and you don’t believe in that so like I stated before leave this job to Bizzell!
Time for a change some crooked **** in Johnston County
AMEN
Nope.
So this guy thinks people will break the law less under his direction?
I would encourage everyone to do their own research. Talk to current deputies, look at Bizzell’s and Randy’s work history. Do you know what all the Sheriff Office consists of? Detention Center, civil division, investigations, Patrol, handgun permits, sex offender registry, courthouse security and bailiffs, School resource officers, narcotics, SWAT, Search and rescue, swift water rescue, event security and much more. What kind of experience do each have in these areas? Who is supporting each candidate can say a lot to…
There should be a live forum with both candidates for the public to ask questions.
A live forum would be a wonderful idea!
Doing research is a great suggestion. A good place to start would be to read Randy’s platform…
Dude, if you were EVER thinking of running for Sheriff, you should have been a more personable person. Seeing Randy at the store, over many years, always gave me the vibe “man this guy’s a pr***”. Randy has never smiled, or spoke a hello to me. Steve has always waved or spoke when he saw me and I’ve seen Steve a whole lot less. Randy I’m sure is a decent person but running for Sheriff, requires someone friendly and down to earth. Sorry but, Randy doesn’t have that.
Steve Bizzell got my vote!!
I’ll have to stick with Sheriff Bizzell. He called me personally several years ago when I worried about citizen gun rights. You don’t get that type of attention very often.
I had the same kind of experience with Sherrif Bizzel. He genuinely cares about the citizens and makes time to hear concerns and find solutions. Many people may not understand that until you legitimately have a need that requires law enforcement. I’m just a mom…. to say he works with bias is completely ridiculous, he’s just a good man and I trust that he does the right thing. even when no one is watching.
No thanks, just watching this guys videos you can tell he is very uncomfortable and scripted. Very low self-confidence in himself, that’s not what the citizens need as the “top cop” of the county. Kinda looks like he’s being forced to run for sheriff…
Has to be Bizzell for realzzle… lol I would love to see Bizzell reelected but the idea for improvements is necessary. Adding a domestic violence task force is way past due, As a survivor of a 2 year abusive relationship that occurred in Johnston County, it would have been really great for some help. Its not always so easy for the officers to have to just constantly arrest someone knowing the charges will be dropped because of the cycle of domestic abuse. To have someone there recognizing what is going on and actually stepping into help with resources and assistance, that would help so many.
Ackley is mostly known by jcso for losing or failing to collect crucial evidence. Where my d.a.’s at.
I have to say that I recognize one individual from his comments, just so you know. I’m Tony Southerland, a 77 year citizen of our county and I clearly see the need for change. We dare not miss this opportunity. Vote Randy Ackley for sheriff…
All this change talk, is this guy Obama for Sheriff?
I’ve had a personal interaction with Sherrif Bizzel and I wanted to share that as a citizen who needed help, he made time to stop what he was doing, heard my situation and offered me the assistance that I needed. It’s complicated and pretty personal so I won’t go into detail but he didn’t have to meet with me when I walked into his office BUT HE DID! I met with an officer first who consulted with the Sherrif on my situation , he immediately came to talk with me and I left his office with a solution. He made a decision on the spot. He made me feel heard and placed my safety first. He will always have my vote!