2026 North Carolina General Election

2026 North Carolina Primary Election

Democrat

Libertarian

Nonpartisan

Republican

Ernie Leyba

Ernie is a deputy sheriff at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department. He previously worked as a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Newport Beach Police Department, where he patrolled city streets and beaches and served in crash response, gang, and narcotics units. He completed training at the LAPD Academy and has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience.

Ernie Leyba ran for Forsyth County Sheriff in 2022 but did not win.

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Ernie is a Deputy Sheriff. He works at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. He previously served as a street patrol officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and as a patrol officer with the Newport Beach Police Department.

Ernie Leyba previously ran for Forsyth County Sheriff in the Republican primary and did not win.

Ernie Leyba is from Southern California. He has an associate's degree from El Camino College and a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach. He is a single parent raising his son in Kernersville.

Ernie is a law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of experience. He previously worked for the Los Angeles Police Department and the Newport Beach Police Department. He also served as a deputy sheriff in Forsyth County. Ernie is the owner of his own company.

Ernie previously ran for Forsyth County sheriff in 2022 but did not win.

Ernie is a Deputy Sheriff. He works at the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. He previously worked as a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department and the Newport Beach Police Department.

Ernie is a Deputy Sheriff. He works at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. He previously worked as a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, at the Kernersville Police Department, and with the Durham Police Department.

Ernie Leyba previously ran for Forsyth County Sheriff in 2018 and did not win. He ran again for Forsyth County Sheriff in 2022 and lost in the general election.

Rafael Perez

Buket Urgen

Forsyth County Sheriff candidate profiles - Issuu

Ernie Leyba - Ballotpedia

Commitment 2018: Primary election results for sheriff races

March 3 primary launches sweeping 2026 election cycle for Forsyth ...

Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice

- 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. 

Forsyth Sheriff, Republican Primary

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (1)