Sheriff Steve Bizzell Defeats Ackley In GOP Primary

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Incumbent Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell turned back a Republican primary challenge Tuesday, defeating former sheriff’s detective Randy Ackley in one of the county’s most closely watched races.

In unofficial results with all precincts reporting, Steve Bizzell received 13,656 votes, or 75.4%, compared with 4,461 votes, or 24.6%, for Randy Ackley. A total of 18,117 ballots were cast in the race.

Bizzell, first elected in 1998, is one of North Carolina’s longest-serving county sheriffs. He was most recently reelected in 2022 with more than 92% of the vote, the highest total ever received by a Johnston County sheriff.

Tuesday’s primary win assures Sheriff Bizzell another term, as he faces no Democratic challenger in the November general election.

Following the victory, Bizzell posted on social media, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to every citizen of Johnston County who came out to vote and placed your trust in me once again. For over 27 years, I have been honored to serve as your Sheriff. Your continued faith in my leadership is something I never take for granted.
Thank you for allowing me to balance — going by the book with leading from the heart. I humbly ask for your prayers to keep us all safe, as we continue to provide public safety to the county we love to call home.”