Paula S. Dance (Pitt County Sheriff, North Carolina, candidate 2026)

Paula S. Dance

Democratic Party

Candidate, Pitt County Sheriff

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 3, 2026

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Paula S. Dance (Democratic Party) ran for election for Pitt County Sheriff in North Carolina. Dance was on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.^[source]

Dance completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Paula S. Dance provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on February 5, 2026:

• Bachelor's: University of Mt. Olive
• Incumbent officeholder: Yes
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Pitt County Sheriff

Paula S. Dance (D) and Richie Williams (D) ran in the Democratic primary for Pitt County Sheriff on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Paula S. Dance
	Submit photo	Richie Williams

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	Incumbency information for this race was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dance in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Paula S. Dance completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dance's responses.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Sheriff Paula Stokes Dance serves as the elected Sheriff of Pitt County, North Carolina. She is the first African American female Sheriff in Pitt County and in the state of North Carolina, and the fifth African American female Sheriff in the United States. A career law enforcement professional, she has dedicated decades to public service, rising through the ranks with experience in patrol, investigations, and command leadership. Sheriff Dance is a graduate of University of Mt. Olive and has completed extensive law enforcement leadership and executive training. She is a lifelong public servant, deeply committed to community engagement, youth mentorship, and professional excellence in law enforcement.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am an experienced law enforcement professional who understands the full responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office. As Sheriff of Pitt County, I lead a complex agency that includes patrol operations, the detention center, court security, and civil process. Leadership in this role is not theoretical it requires judgment, accountability, and experience earned over time. I bring steady, proven leadership that keeps Pitt County safe while supporting the deputies and staff who serve our community every day.
• Public safety works best when the community trusts its Sheriff’s Office. My leadership is grounded in transparency, fairness, and professionalism. I believe in consistent enforcement of the law, clear standards for conduct, and accountability at every level of the organization. When residents know their Sheriff leads with integrity and respect, cooperation increases, trust is strengthened, and our entire community benefits.
• I am deeply committed to Pitt County not only to addressing crime, but to investing in prevention, youth engagement, and community partnerships that create long-term safety. From mentoring young people to working with community organizations, my focus is on protecting today while preparing for tomorrow. My candidacy is about service, responsibility, and ensuring Pitt County remains a safe, strong place to live and raise a family.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public safety policies that promote accountability, prevention, and community trust. This includes supporting deputies and detention staff through proper training and wellness resources, addressing mental health and substance use as public safety issues, and protecting vulnerable populations such as victims of domestic violence, seniors, and youth. I am also committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of public resources, ensuring the Sheriff’s Office operates professionally, fairly, and in partnership with the community to create long-term safety and stability in Pitt County.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Pitt County Sheriff

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