Incumbent Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton has opposition for re-election this year.
Thornton thus far is unopposed on the Republican ticket for Sheriff. On the Democratic ticket, Freddie Butler has filed for Sheriff. Butler is a retired deputy director for personnel and field operations for the NC Division of Motor Vehicles. His father, Graham Butler, was at one time the Sheriff of Sampson County.
Butler ran an unsuccessful campaign against Thornton in 2014. The filing period for local elections remains open through next week.
