Campaign finance reports show wide gaps in fundraising among the four Democrats running for Cumberland County Sheriff, with incumbent Johnathan Morgan far outpacing challengers Demetrio Perez, Troy McDuffie, and Joe Bailer ahead of the March 3 primary.
Early voting runs through Saturday. If one candidate wins the Democratic primary outright, he will move on to face Republican LaRue Windham in November. If no candidate clears the threshold needed to avoid a runoff, the top two finishers advance to a second primary on May 12.
If elected, the winner will take charge of a 651‑employee agency with a $67.97 million annual budget, responsibility for the county jail, and more than 90,000 annual 911 calls for service.
Morgan Leads Field in Fundraising
Morgan, who was appointed sheriff in 2025 to complete the unexpired term of former Sheriff Ennis Wright, has raised $30,535 and spent $14,942, according to his latest campaign filings. His donor list includes business owners, many current Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies, and other first responders like Freddy Johnson, fire chief for Stoney Point Fire Department.
Many contributions fall on the higher end of the county’s $5,000 limit, with numerous donations between $200 and $2,500.
Morgan has used his funds on newspaper ads, campaign signs, and a fundraiser.
A North Carolina native, he began his law‑enforcement career with the Fayetteville Police Department in 1997 before joining the sheriff’s office a year later. He has spent nearly three decades with the agency and also volunteers as a firefighter with the Stoney Point Fire Department.
McDuffie Reports Steady Small‑Dollar Support
McDuffie has raised $8,891 and spent $7,388, drawing mostly $100 to $500 contributions from retired residents. One of his largest donors is former Sheriff Ennis Wright, who contributed $1,500. The North Carolina Democratic Party also provided $1,000 of in‑kind advertising support.
McDuffie’s spending has gone toward advertisements and radio airtime.
He brings more than 35 years of law‑enforcement experience, including leadership roles in Hoke County, Red Springs, and Spring Lake, where he helped restore the police department’s authority after a corruption probe. He also served in the 82nd Airborne Division and worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service.
Perez, Bailer Self‑Financing Their Campaigns
Two candidates—Perez and Bailer—are running largely on their own resources.
Perez has loaned his campaign $2,100. A Texas native who arrived in Fayetteville through the Army in 1979, he spent 20 years in the military and 18 years as a Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy. His work ranged from school resource duties to gang investigations and bilingual hostage negotiation. He now works as a security specialist for Cumberland County Schools.
Bailer has put $2,000 of his own money into his campaign. His 30‑year public safety background includes service as a military police officer and work in military intelligence. He has taught incarcerated students through the state corrections system and currently serves as director of public safety at Fayetteville Technical Community College.
The campaign finance reports for Morgan and McDuffie covered donations and expenditures through February 14. The reports for Perez and Bailer were through December 31.
Government reporter Rachel Heimann Mercader can be reached at rheimann@cityviewnc.com or 910-988-8045.
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