2026 North Carolina General Election

BIOGRAPHY

In His Own Words

Sheriff Drew Robinson was born and raised in Oak City, North Carolina; a small farming community in Northern Martin County and has remained a lifelong resident of Martin County.

About | Drew Robinson for Sheriff

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Boards & Leadership

Co-Director, Wright Flight of Martin County

Martin County Airport Commission

Martin County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

Martin County Multi-Disciplinary Team

Martin County Community Child Protective Team

Martin County Child Fatality Prevention Team

Charlie Brown Emergency Services Foundation Executive Board

Martin Community College EMS Advisory Board

Martin Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board

District Two Recovery Court Operations Committee

District Two Recovery Court Staffing Committee

Better Together Martin County Schools

Martin County Schools Community Coalition

Martin County Law Enforcement Officers' Association

North Carolina Sheriffs' Association Auditing Committee

Security Team Member, Macedonia Christian Church

Drew Robinson was born and raised in Oak City, North Carolina, and has remained a lifelong resident of Martin County. He is a security team member at Macedonia Christian Church.

Drew began his law enforcement career in March of 1996, when he was hired by the Bethel Police Department as a Police Officer. On January 31, 1997, Drew was hired as a Deputy with the Martin County Sheriff's Office; where he has spent the remainder of his career. During his time with the Martin County Sheriff's Office, Drew has held the positions of Deputy, Patrol Sergeant, Narcotics Investigator, Criminal Investigator, Lieutenant of Investigations and Chief Deputy.

Drew Robinson previously worked as a police officer with the Bethel Police Department and as a deputy with the Martin County Sheriff's Office. He also held positions as a patrol sergeant, narcotics investigator, criminal investigator, lieutenant of investigations, and chief deputy with the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Drew previously worked as a police officer with the Bethel Police Department and as a deputy with the Martin County Sheriff's Office. He also held positions as a patrol sergeant, narcotics investigator, criminal investigator, lieutenant of investigations, and chief deputy with the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Following the retirement of Sheriff Tim Manning, Drew was appointed Sheriff of Martin County on January 31, 2025 by the Martin County Board of Commissioners. Interestingly, Drew was appointed to the Office of Sheriff 28 years to the day from being sworn in as a Martin County Deputy Sheriff.

Drew was appointed sheriff of Martin County on January 31, 2025, following Sheriff Tim Manning's retirement.

Now Martin County Sheriff, he wants “people to know [we] provide professional, compassionate service to the citizens of Martin County,” he said. “I believe the way to do that is to provide the deputies, and any other employees in the sheriff’s office, with the training, equipment and decision-making freedom they need to best serve the citizens of Martin County.”

Meet Martin County's new sheriff

We envision a future where law-abiding citizens feel safe and take pride and comfort in the quality of life in our community. We envision a future where disorder and criminal activity continues to be vigorously and intelligently pursued. We envision the Martin County Sheriff's Office as a superior service-oriented organization that incorporates innovative strategies, contemporary technologies, proven community policing philosophies, positive leadership and efficient, effective use of resources into all organizational decisions.
— Martin County Sheriff's Office

Platform | Drew Robinson for Sheriff

1
Commitment to Service

We believe our primary duty is to safeguard lives and property while respecting the human and constitutional rights of all. By placing emphasis on professionalism and compassion, our service to the citizens will be unmatched.

2
Commitment to Community Involvement

We believe community partnerships are critical elements of our organization. Collaboration, cooperation and communication with our citizens and businesses are the framework for successful community-oriented law enforcement.

Robinson wants his deputies to be engaged.

“I want my deputies to be seen — and be proactive in the community. Martin County is small enough that I feel like community members should know the deputies and build relationships with them. I want them to know they can call on us and we will be there. We don’t need to be an unnamed face that just shows up when they are in trouble. We want to be known as community members who are trying to make the community better,” he added.

Drew is very active in the community. During his career in law enforcement, Drew has always believed in treating the citizens with care, respect and compassion. As Sheriff of Martin County, Drew plans to expand the Martin County Sheriff's Office interaction with the community and help foster a healthy relationship between the Sheriff's Office and the citizens through transparency, professionalism and integrity. Drew looks forward to serving the citizens of Martin County as their Sheriff for many years to come.

4
Commitment to Responsibility and Accountability

We believe that the prudent and effective management of our resources is critical to the future of our organization. Accountability and transparency are essential to ensuring and maintaining the public trust.

Plans to provide sheriff's office employees with training, equipment, and decision-making authority to serve Martin County residents.

Plans to use community policing, technology, and efficient resource management to address disorder and criminal activity.

Believes the sheriff's office should protect lives and property while respecting constitutional rights and providing compassionate, professional service.

Plans to expand proactive engagement by deputies and community partnerships to build relationships between residents and the sheriff's office.

Believes accountability, transparency, and effective resource management are necessary to maintain public trust in the sheriff's office.

- Plans to provide sheriff's office employees with training, equipment, and decision-making authority to serve Martin County residents.
- Plans to use community policing, technology, and efficient resource management to address disorder and criminal activity.
- Believes the sheriff's office should protect lives and property while respecting constitutional rights and providing compassionate, professional service.
- Plans to expand proactive engagement by deputies and community partnerships to build relationships between residents and the sheriff's office.
- Believes accountability, transparency, and effective resource management are necessary to maintain public trust in the sheriff's office.

Public Safety

As of September 2, 2026, Drew Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jail Management

“Drug enforcement is going to be a major focus of the sheriff’s office,” he said. “Because of the opioid epidemic, we are starting to see more and more people passing away due to fentanyl overdoses.”

He is also a member of the District 2 Recovery Court, which has deepened his compassion for drug abusers.

“I’ve realized not all drug users are necessarily bad guys — they do bad things — but deep down in their core, the majority of them really want to be productive members of society,” he said. “They are just dealing with traumas from their past and they don’t know how to properly deal with it; they don’t know the resources available to them and turn to substance use to help them through their problems.

“I have seen this program change the lives of many people in ways I can’t even describe,” he said. “Every member of the Recovery Court Team puts their heart and soul into it. I am thankful to be a part of that. I want to remain active in it because it is a very important program.”

Throughout his career, some days have been harder than others, especially traumatic cases.

“I’ve tried my best to keep the victims’ family members as well informed as I could, so they knew what to expect next,” he said. “I’ve tried to follow up with some family members through the years to let them know that I haven’t forgotten about them or their loved ones.

“As law enforcement officers, we work those cases — and those cases stay with us the rest of our lives,” he said.” I think that it humanizes law enforcement when we take the time to reach out, give them a hug, just check on them and make sure they are doing ok.

Prioritizes drug enforcement in response to opioid- and fentanyl-related overdose deaths.

Wants to remain active in Recovery Court, citing its role in helping people with substance-use disorders address trauma and become productive members of society.

Supports keeping victims' family members informed about investigations and following up with them after traumatic cases.

- Prioritizes drug enforcement in response to opioid- and fentanyl-related overdose deaths.
- Wants to remain active in Recovery Court, citing its role in helping people with substance-use disorders address trauma and become productive members of society.
- Supports keeping victims' family members informed about investigations and following up with them after traumatic cases.

Criminal Justice

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Drew Robinson

- Plans to use community policing, technology, and efficient resource management to address disorder and criminal activity.
- Believes the sheriff's office should protect lives and property while respecting constitutional rights and providing compassionate, professional service.
- Plans to expand proactive engagement by deputies and community partnerships to build relationships between residents and the sheriff's office.
- Believes accountability, transparency, and effective resource management are necessary to maintain public trust in the sheriff's office.

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

Marvin attended Martin Community College and completed basic law enforcement training at Halifax Community College. He also has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Liberty University and an associate's degree in criminal justice from Nash Community College. 

Marvin works in the Edgecombe County Sheriff Office. He worked as a deputy, captain and interim chief, and detective. He previously worked in the factory industry.

Martin previously ran for Martin County Sheriff. 

And under my leadership, you will never see more than two deputies sitting in a restaurant at one time unless they are in training. Our deputies will be in the community, not gathered in one spot. Their presence will be where it matters most: with the people.

Vision | Marvin Hilliard

I will also work to update our SRO uniforms and patrol vehicles to make them more community friendly.

Our School Resource Officers are the first line of safety and support for our students, and the way they present themselves matters.

I want our young people to feel more welcomed, more comfortable, and more excited to interact with their deputies. Creating a friendly, approachable environment will help build trust, open communication, and stronger relationships between our youth and law enforcement.

🔹 Safety for Every Community

Every town, every road, every neighborhood deserves to feel safe. I will prioritize neighborhood patrols, faster emergency response, and stronger partnerships with citizens. Together, we’ll create safer streets and closer connections between officers and residents.

To strengthen safety and visibility, I will assign a dedicated deputy to each area of our county. You deserve to know the person who is protecting your community.

Within my first 90 days, I will establish a specialized SRT Special Response Team right here in Martin County.

Right now, when a dangerous situation happens, we often have to wait for outside agencies or neighboring counties to respond. That delay can cost precious minutes, and in emergencies, minutes matter. I believe in partnerships and strong networks, but I also believe that Martin County deserves the ability to protect itself without waiting to be rescued.

Plans to limit restaurant gatherings to two deputies at a time, except during training, to keep deputies in the community.

Plans to update school resource officer uniforms and patrol vehicles to make them more community-friendly.

Prioritizes neighborhood patrols, faster emergency response, and partnerships with residents.

Plans to assign a dedicated deputy to each area of Martin County.

Plans to establish a Martin County Special Response Team within the first 90 days to respond to dangerous situations.

- Plans to limit restaurant gatherings to two deputies at a time, except during training, to keep deputies in the community.
- Plans to update school resource officer uniforms and patrol vehicles to make them more community-friendly.
- Prioritizes neighborhood patrols, faster emergency response, and partnerships with residents.
- Plans to assign a dedicated deputy to each area of Martin County.
- Plans to establish a Martin County Special Response Team within the first 90 days to respond to dangerous situations.

We have many people in our community including our own family and friends who are fighting the battle of drug addiction. The truth is, if you don’t have insurance, most addiction treatment centers will not accept you. And because of that, people who want help often can’t get it. What happens next? They get arrested, sit in jail for a short time, and then go right back to the same struggle. It becomes a revolving door not because they’re bad people, but because they don’t have a pathway to recovery. As Sheriff, I will work to change that. I will seek out partnerships, programs, and grants that allow us to connect people with real treatment, real support, and real rehabilitation. Helping people break the cycle of addiction doesn’t just save lives it reduces crime, strengthens families, and makes our entire community safer.

Plans to seek partnerships, programs, and grants to connect people with addiction treatment, support, and rehabilitation.

- Plans to seek partnerships, programs, and grants to connect people with addiction treatment, support, and rehabilitation.

🔹 Fairness & Accountability

I believe in equal justice for all not favoritism, not politics, and not power. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As Sheriff, I’ll ensure our office stands on truth, transparency, and fairness because justice should never depend on who you are or where you live.

🔹 Investing in Our Youth

The future of Martin County depends on our young people. I believe prevention starts with opportunity through mentorship, education, and programs that give our youth something positive to believe in. If we reach them early, we can change lives before trouble ever begins.

🔹 Community-First Policing

Law enforcement is strongest when it works with the community, not just in it. I will focus on building real relationships through visibility, listening, and respect. When people trust the Sheriff’s Office, we all become safer.

Plans to operate the sheriff’s office with equal treatment, transparency, and fairness.

Supports youth-crime prevention through mentorship, education, and positive youth programs.

Plans to build community trust in law enforcement through visibility, listening, and respectful relationships.

- Plans to operate the sheriff’s office with equal treatment, transparency, and fairness.
- Supports youth-crime prevention through mentorship, education, and positive youth programs.
- Plans to build community trust in law enforcement through visibility, listening, and respectful relationships.

Marvin Hilliard

- Prioritizes neighborhood patrols, faster emergency response, and partnerships with residents.
- Plans to assign a dedicated deputy to each area of Martin County.
- Plans to establish a Martin County Special Response Team within the first 90 days to respond to dangerous situations.

Marvin Hilliard is from Martin County, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Nash Community College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Liberty University. He has spoken at many churches across Martin County.

Marvin is an administrative specialist and FARS analyst for the State of North Carolina. He previously worked as a deputy and detective for the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office. He also served as a criminal justice instructor for North Carolina law enforcement officers. Earlier in his career, he worked in the factory industry. He also became a volunteer fireman for the Town of Oak City and a substitute bus driver for Martin County Schools. 

Marvin previously served as a deputy sheriff with the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office. He is currently a police officer with the Scotland Neck Police Department.

Marvin Hilliard is from Martin County, North Carolina. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from Nash Community College and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Liberty University. He has spoken at many churches across Martin County, sharing his wisdom, faith, and message of service.

Marvin is an administrative specialist FARS analyst with the State of North Carolina. He previously worked as a detective and deputy sheriff with the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office. He also served as a criminal justice instructor for the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission. Earlier in his career, he worked in the factory industry. He also became a volunteer fireman for the Town of Oak City and a substitute bus driver for Martin County Schools. 

Marvin previously served as a deputy sheriff with the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office.

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

- The sheriff is responsible for enforcing the law, managing security in jails and courtrooms. They also oversee daily conditions of the jail and inmates in custody and serve legal documents such as warrants and eviction notices. Their ultimate responsibility is to protect the community. 

Responsible for enforcing the law and overseeing jails. 

Martin Sheriff

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Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice