Rodney Collins
Rodney Collins (Democratic Party) ran for election for Mecklenburg County Sheriff in North Carolina. Collins lost in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.
Collins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Rodney Collins served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 1992. Collins graduated from Olympic High School. Collins earned a bachelor's and graduate degree from Pfeiffer University in 2007 and 2010, respectively. Collins' career experience includes working in law enforcement.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (2026)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Mecklenburg County Sheriff
Incumbent Garry McFadden (D) is running in the general election for Mecklenburg County Sheriff on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Garry McFadden (D) | |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary for Mecklenburg County Sheriff
Incumbent Garry McFadden (D) defeated Ricky Robbins (D), Rodney Collins (D), and Antwain Nance (D) in the Democratic primary for Mecklenburg County Sheriff on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Garry McFadden | 33.8 | 33,422 |
| Ricky Robbins | 31.0 | 30,705 | ||
 | Rodney Collins | 26.8 | 26,526 | |
 | Antwain Nance | 8.3 | 8,256 | |
| Total votes: 98,909 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rodney Collins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Collins' responses.
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- The first key message that I want voters to remember about my me is the life long experience that I've had in the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office-starting as an entry level deputy and advancing through the ranks to Chief Deputy which is the second highest position in the Sheriff's Office. I have had significant contributions in various roles that still influence operations today. My institutional knowledge and real experience makes me to most prepared and suitable candidate that can influence change on day one.
- My second key message centers around public safety. A Sheriff's Office that isn't managed well doesn't serve its community well. Balancing safety with dignity and professionalism is so important. Ensuring that Sheriff's Office personnel are supported, improving detention operations for better outcomes and better care those in our charge. Working with others collaboratively to expand mental health services, reentry partnerships, are ways to reduce repeat involvement in our criminal justice system.
- My third key message focuses on equitable and transparent leadership. That means top down accountability that starts with me as the elected Sheriff. It means adhering to our policies and procedures and setting high but obtainable standards and expectations of all Sheriff's Office employees. It means the constant pursuit of excellence in leadership while being fair, equitable, and professional. Servant leadership through transparency and public confidence.
Former Mecklenburg County Sheriff Jim Pendergraph
Former Mecklenburg County Sheriff Chipp Bailey
Former Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael
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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 6, 2026
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